According to the figures from the Robert Koch Institute, the seven-day incidence has fallen slightly compared to the previous day for the first time since the end of December. However, this does not say anything about whether the trend in infections is reversing – such a statement is only possible due to delays in reporting if the numbers actually decrease for a longer period of time.
On Sunday morning, the RKI reported 1,466.5 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week. The day before, the value was still 1474.3. A week ago, the nationwide incidence was 1400.8 (previous month: 427.7). The health authorities in Germany reported 125,160 new corona infections to the RKI within one day. A week ago there were 133,173 infections. In addition, the RKI counts 58 other deaths. A week ago it was 41. The number of patients with Corona admitted to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was 6.46 on Friday (Thursday: 6.23). These may also include people with a positive corona test who have another main illness. No data on hospital admissions will be published at the weekend.
According to the institute, a total of 12,344,661 people in Germany have been infected with Sars-CoV-2 since the beginning of the pandemic. The RKI gave the number of recovered people on Sunday as 8,737,000. The number of people who died from or involved a proven infection with Sars-CoV-2 rose to 119,935.
However, the official figures are only of limited significance. Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the RKI data. Test capacities and health authorities are at the limit in many places, contacts are only traced to a limited extent. That is why we use the SZ Corona Dashboard to show an average value from the reports of the past seven days, which is intended to compensate for fluctuations from day to day. You can find more information on this in the transparency blog, further data and graphics on the pandemic here. (02/13/2022)
Canada: Police dissolve first trucker blockades
Canadian police have begun clearing trucker blockades at a key border bridge between the city of Windsor in Canada and Detroit in the United States. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously not ruled out the violent dissolution of blockades in view of the trucker protests that have been going on for more than two weeks. If the demonstrators against the government’s corona measures did not go home, there would be “increasing police intervention,” Trudeau announced in Ottawa on Friday. He called the blockades illegal. Any measure is possible, but the deployment of the military is the last resort. The affected province of Ontario has declared a state of emergency.
Thousands of people have been demonstrating in Canada against corona measures and vaccination regulations for weeks. With trucks and other vehicles, they block, among other things, parts of downtown Ottawa. The protests initially focused on vaccination requirements for truck drivers and then on government pandemic restrictions overall. In January, an ordinance came into effect requiring truck drivers returning from the United States to provide proof of vaccinations.
According to Trudeau, the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit – as well as other border crossings – led to the halt of car production by six manufacturers due to missing parts. 25 percent of Canadian-American freight traffic flows across the bridge – this corresponds to a goods value of the equivalent of 275 million euros per day. The region is closely interwoven economically across the border. That’s why Trudeau spoke to US President Joe Biden on Friday. (02/12/2022)
The pace of vaccination in Germany is decreasing significantly
In Germany, fewer and fewer vaccinations against the corona virus are being administered every day. On Friday there were 193,000 vaccine doses, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Saturday. That is significantly fewer vaccinations than on Friday last week (305,327) and than two weeks ago (432,324 vaccinations).
At least 62.2 million people, or 74.8 percent of the population, have now received basic protection, which usually requires two injections. At least 46 million people, or 55.4 percent of the population, have received a booster shot. 63.3 million people or 76.1 percent have been vaccinated at least once. A large group of 19.9 million people remain unvaccinated. This corresponds to 23.9 percent of the population. However, no vaccine has been approved for four million of them because they are four years old or younger.
The RKI has long pointed out that the numbers shown are to be understood as minimum vaccination rates. A hundred percent coverage by the reporting system cannot be achieved. The RKI assumes that the actual vaccination rate is up to five percentage points higher than officially stated. (02/12/2022)
However, the figures are only of limited significance. Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the RKI data. Test capacities and health authorities are at the limit in many places, contacts are only traced to a limited extent. That is why we use the SZ Corona Dashboard to show an average value from the reports of the past seven days, which is intended to compensate for fluctuations from day to day. You can find more information on this in the transparency blog, further data and graphics on the pandemic here.
According to the RKI, 198 deaths in connection with the corona virus were recorded within 24 hours in Germany. The number of corona patients treated in clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was 6.46 on Friday. (02/12/2022)
Free PCR tests from Saturday only after a positive rapid test
New rules for the right to free corona tests have been in effect since this Saturday: In future, the particularly precise PCR tests will only be available after a positive rapid antigen test from a test center. The Federal Government’s adapted test strategy thus enters into force. The aim is to use the test capacities even more specifically than before due to the current sharp increase in the number of infections.
A red warning message on the Corona-Warn-App is therefore no longer sufficient to get a PCR test. In the future, rapid tests should be sufficient to “test oneself” prematurely from isolation as an infected person or from quarantine as a contact person of infected people. In laboratory evaluations, priority should be given to PCR tests on high-risk patients and people in facilities such as nursing homes, practices, clinics and emergency services. However, they too must first have a positive antigen rapid test. (02/12/2022)
Neighboring German countries are relaxing corona regulations
Austria continues to relax the corona measures. From this Saturday onwards, only one FFP2 mask has to be worn in shops or museums; the previous 2-G rule no longer applies. On top of that, the upper limit for visitors is given up at events. However, in this case – as for example when visiting football games – the 2-G rule and mask requirement apply. Starting next Saturday – with the exception of Vienna – not only those who have been vaccinated and who have recovered, but also those who have tested negative will be allowed back into the restaurant. The 3-G rule then also applies to tourism. The seven-day incidence is almost twice as high as in Germany. The easing steps are justified with the manageable situation in the clinics.
Belgium will allow nightclubs to reopen from next Friday. In addition, pubs are allowed to remain open longer and the number of guests per table is no longer limited. Concerts with a standing audience are also permitted. In addition, the obligation to wear masks in elementary schools will be abolished.
In Luxembourg, easing has been in effect since Friday. The 3G rule applies again in gastronomy, and the 2G Plus rule (vaccinated or recovered plus booster or test) is also being replaced by 3G in hotels and in the areas of leisure and sport. In addition, the curfew at 11 p.m. in the gastro area is no longer applicable – discotheques and clubs are allowed to open again. There are no longer any contact restrictions in private and contact persons of infected people no longer have to be in quarantine. (02/11/2022)
Scholz is promising the first easing
The federal government sees Germany at a turning point in the current omicron wave and is promising that the corona restrictions will soon be relaxed. “The scientific forecasts show us that the peak of the wave is in sight,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Bundesrat. “This allows us to take a first step towards opening up at the federal-state meeting next week and then look at more for spring.”
The Federal Ministry of Health also sees the omicron wave flattening out, but does not want to give the all-clear. One agrees with the assessment of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) that the peak of the omicron wave has not yet been reached, said a spokesman for the ministry. He pointed out that the seven-day incidence is falling in some federal states, but continues to rise in others.
On Friday, the RKI reported a lower number of new infections compared to the previous week. At the same time, the experts from the federal authority warned in their weekly report: “The peak of the fifth wave has not yet been reached.”
When he talks to the prime ministers of the federal states next Wednesday about easing, the advice of the scientists will be listened to, said Scholz, so as not to jeopardize previous successes in fighting the pandemic. “At the same time, we will be vigilant and prepared in the event that the number of infected people increases significantly again,” said Scholz. The healthcare system has so far withstood the crisis despite the great strain on doctors and clinic staff. So the corona measures that were decided on worked. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said on Thursday that it was clear that easing would also have to be discussed next week. But one should not “loosen up too quickly”. (02/11/2022)