Pandemic: RKI: BA.2 dominant – BA.5 increases at a very low level

Pandemic
RKI: BA.2 dominant – BA.5 increases at a very low level

According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the omicron subvariant BA.2, which has been dominant in Germany for weeks, is still predominant, while another subtype has increased at a very low level.

According to a sample from the week before last, the proportion of BA.2 was a good 97 percent, as shown in the RKI weekly report. The subtype BA.1, which was previously responsible for most infections, is therefore still below two percent.

According to the data, the relatively newly emerged omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 have played a subordinate role so far. Nevertheless, the share of BA.5 doubled in the week before last compared to the week before to 0.6 percent. BA.4, on the other hand, is listed unchanged at 0.1 percent. In Germany, the genome is only completely examined in a small proportion of positive samples.

“The omicron lines BA.4 and BA.5, which are currently leading to a renewed increase in Covid-19 diseases, particularly in South Africa, have also been increasingly detected in Germany (especially BA.5) and other European countries in recent weeks.” , writes the RKI. But: Currently, one does not assume that the spread of the sublines will lead to a sharp increase in the number of cases.

Significantly decreased seven-day incidence

In the weekly report, the authors also state that the seven-day incidence in the past week has fallen significantly compared to the previous week – namely by 21 percent. Many hospitalization indicators and also the number of deaths have recently continued to decrease.

With almost half a million Covid 19 cases transmitted to the RKI in the last week, the infection pressure remains high. The RKI also still rates the risk of Covid-19 for the health of the population as “high”. Last week, the institute lowered its risk assessment of the current corona situation in Germany by one level from “very high”.

At the same time, in addition to the Covid 19 cases, there has been a significant increase in influenza infections, especially among children between the ages of five and 14. “In the case of symptoms of a new respiratory disease (runny nose, sore throat, cough), regardless of the vaccination status and pathogen detection, we recommend avoiding contacts so as not to spread infections and to protect risk groups,” it says on Twitter.

Almost unchanged vaccination rate

The RKI also refers to a vaccination rate that has remained almost unchanged for several weeks. The majority of the vaccinations currently administered are still second booster vaccinations. According to the RKI and the Standing Vaccination Commission, this is intended to protect risk groups and people over the age of 70 from a serious illness. According to the report, only just under 60 percent of all people in Germany have received the first booster vaccination, which is more widely recommended.

“Due to its high protective effect against a severe course, vaccination has not lost its importance even in diseases caused by the omicron variant,” the RKI reaffirms. According to the report, the number of vaccinations has increased slightly in the last two weeks.

dpa