Status: December 17, 2021 1:22 p.m.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has praised the state of Lower Saxony for its “exemplary approach” in the corona pandemic. At the same time he warned of a violent wave of omicron.
The comparatively low incidence in Lower Saxony is no coincidence, Lauterbach said on Friday during a visit to Hanover. It was “the result of a prudent, cautious and consistent policy,” which he considered exemplary, according to the SPD minister. From his point of view, however, a fifth wave caused by the omicron variant cannot be prevented. He is assuming a massive wave.
Notes from England: “Omikron surpasses everything”
He hears from colleagues in England that the spread of the omicron variant “exceeds anything that has been observed in the entire pandemic,” said Lauterbach. In Germany, too, there is an enormous challenge facing hospitals, intensive care units and society as a whole. The aim is to push back the current wave and use the time for booster vaccinations, in particular to protect the vulnerable groups. “The only thing that reliably protects against a severe course of the Omikron infection is the booster vaccination,” said Lauterbach.
Lauterbach: Vaccinations are the best protection for children
Before that, Lauterbach had drawn attention to the importance of corona vaccinations for children during his visit to the vaccination center at the zoo in Hanover. The vaccination center has been offering this for children from the age of five since Wednesday. Lauterbach said that vaccinations also offered the best protection for children in the corona pandemic – all the data indicated that. There must therefore also be uncomplicated vaccination offers for children.
Weil received Major General Breuer that afternoon
Following the Lauterbach visit, Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister meets with the head of the federal government’s new Corona crisis team, Major General Carsten Breuer. Breuer will be a guest at the Lower Saxony State Chancellery in the afternoon. Weil and Breuer talk to Lower Saxony’s Health Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) about the cooperation between the federal government and Lower Saxony and about the current situation.
Further information
