Status: 07/01/2021 2:11 p.m.
In Germany, the corona cases are continuing to decline – but for Europe, the WHO is presenting increasing numbers for the first time in weeks. The reason is the delta variant, which will soon dominate in this country too.
Forget about Corona for a moment and enjoy the summer – that’s what almost everyone wants in this second pandemic summer. But the coming weeks should not be completely carefree either, because the number of new infections in Europe is increasing again for the first time after a ten-week decline. Driven by “travel, get-togethers and the relaxation of social restrictions,” the number of cases rose by ten percent last week, said the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, at a press conference in Copenhagen.
“Weigh up risks carefully”
Europe is threatened with a new wave of pandemics, “unless we remain disciplined,” warned Kluge. Countries like Portugal and Great Britain are currently struggling with an increase in new corona infections. The development is attributed in particular to the spread of the highly contagious virus variant Delta. And this variant, which was first discovered in India, very quickly overtakes the alpha variant, says Kluge. This form will be dominant in the European Region by August. Even by then, the population will not have been completely vaccinated. “Delays in vaccination cost lives,” said Kluge. “The slower we vaccinate, the more variants will appear.”
Kluge appealed to all people who now want to attend football matches or are planning a vacation trip to weigh the risks carefully and to protect themselves.
The seven-day incidence in this country continues to decline
In Germany, an increase in new infections has not yet been determined: According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the nationwide seven-day incidence is now 5.1 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants (previous day: 5.2; previous week: 6.6) . However, the share of the delta variant in new infections is also increasing rapidly in this country: at least every second corona infection in the current week is likely to be due to the delta variant according to RKI estimates.
Spahn urges vaccination
Delta will soon also be predominant in Germany, now the absolute number of infections must be kept as low as possible, said Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. The minister called on people to get fully vaccinated. Tests are also sufficiently available. “It’s up to us if Delta has a chance.” The Germans would have it in their own hands whether after a great vacation there would also be a great time in autumn.
Statutory health insurance chief warns against scare tactics
The chief executive of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, warned against scare tactics in view of the spread of the Delta variant. Although the Delta variant is likely to become the dominant mutant in this country by the end of July, Gassen also said. Delta is more contagious, but according to current knowledge “probably not much more dangerous than the previous variants.”
The Corona variants and their names
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now using neutral names for the variants of the coronavirus. They are no longer to be named after the countries in which they were first discovered. With this, the WHO wants to prevent discrimination and stigmatization.
alpha The name of the variant that first appeared in Great Britain is B.1.1.7.
beta is the name for the variant B.1.351 discovered in South Africa.
gamma stands for variant P.1, which has been proven in Brazil.
delta refers to variant B.1.617.2, which was initially found in India.