They are appearing more and more often in the subways: the white FFP2 masks over the mouths and noses of individual passengers. Even in supermarkets, more and more people want to protect themselves from infection – or use masks to protect others from the viruses that are already plaguing them. Munich is again in the middle of a wave of infections.
This is mainly due to rhinoviruses, i.e. the common cold viruses, and Sars-CoV-2, i.e. the coronavirus, which has clearly lost its terror since the end of the pandemic. The occurrence of certain viruses can be found in the current weekly report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on acute respiratory diseases.
The RKI’s monitoring systems indicate that around 7.3 million people in Germany currently have an acute respiratory disease. This total is at a “comparatively high level” for this time of year, according to the weekly report.
The scientists observe what is happening using certain samples that are analyzed using laboratory diagnostics. From Munich’s wastewater it can be seen that Sars-CoV-2 is currently increasingly circulating in the city. Bavarian wastewater monitoring detects traces of the virus in wastewater and thus tracks the spread, which would otherwise not be visible because comprehensive tests are no longer being carried out. The trend has been continuously “rising” since the beginning of September; the curve is almost as high as it was last at the end of December last year.
Munich’s general practitioners’ practices clearly feel the high standard. “It’s actually extreme right now,” says family doctor Christina Huberle. She estimates that around 70 percent of her patients currently come because of viral infections. Her practice is in the university district in Schwabing, many of her patients are between 20 and 30 years old and often go to parties or in shared apartments, says Huberle. She then asks whether the patient was at the Oktoberfest, and that is often the case. The family doctor explains the current wave of infections due to the Oktoberfest, but also to the start of school and the change in the weather.
Around 30 percent of patients come to the practice wearing a mask
The family doctor Philipp Gross, who runs a large practice with several employed doctors on Baldeplatz, also says: “We are currently being overrun.” They are now trying to expand their infection consultation hours so that those who come with cold symptoms do not infect other patients. Anyone who visits with clear symptoms will be given a mask by the staff. Around 30 percent of patients would come to the practice wearing a mask on their own.
Nevertheless, both family doctors don’t want to spread fear. They also do not test for the coronavirus in their practices. Because they say that the result has no consequences for the vast majority of people anyway. The requirements have long since been abolished. And staying at home if possible so as not to infect anyone also applies to all other viruses, says Huberle. She recommends that those who are already feeling the effects of a cold take a step back in order to protect themselves – and others.
The rush is clearly noticeable in the pharmacies. But just like every year at this time, says Peter Sandmann, who runs several pharmacies in the city area. “It’s the same as always after the Oktoberfest,” says the pharmacist. It seems like everyone has been sick since the second week of Oktoberfest. That’s why they are currently selling “an unbelievable number of corona tests” in pharmacies. People still wanted to know whether it was the coronavirus. The demand for the tests continues to increase, said Sandmann. The price per test in wholesale has risen by around a third compared to eight weeks ago.