Infection Protection Act: Spahn wants to delete 50 incidence

In the Infection Protection Act, the incidence of 50 is a decisive criterion for tightening or relaxing corona measures. Health Minister Spahn wants to change that – and focus on the hospitalization rate.

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn plans to delete the seven-day incidence of 50 as a central criterion in the Infection Protection Act. “The 50s incidence in the law has had its day,” said Spahn in the joint morning magazine of ARD and ZDF. The value – no more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days – applied to an unvaccinated population.

Spahn called for the hospitalization rate to be used as a guide when regulating corona measures. This means the number of Covid 19 patients who are in the hospital. The CDU politician wants to present a corresponding proposal for a change in the law before the federal election.

Some federal states have already moved away from incidence

The Infection Protection Act provides for special measures for a certain number of new corona cases. However, some federal states have already moved away from focusing on incidence. “That is why my suggestion is that this benchmark, this 50s incidence, should be swiftly removed from the law,” said the minister.

Union chancellor candidate Armin Laschet also spoke out on “Bild TV” for a quick move away from the 50s incidence. “We learned: the incidence alone is no longer meaningful,” he said. It is known that “50 is no longer the same today as it was a year ago because so many people are vaccinated”.

Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht also commented on the 50s incidence. She also thinks the threshold is dispensable, she also said on “Bild” -TV: “We do not need this incidence figure.” The guideline was created when the number of infections was even higher and there was not enough vaccine. Instead, the vaccination rate is now relevant, the situation in the health care system and the increase in the number of infections. This was also decided at the last Prime Minister’s meeting, said Lambrecht.