The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports 3022 new positive tests. That is 714 fewer than on Saturday a week ago, when 3736 new infections were reported. The seven-day incidence increases slightly to 61.7 from 61.4 the previous day. Ten other people died related to the virus. This increases the number of reported deaths to 93,403 within 24 hours. In total, more than 4.19 million corona tests have so far been positive in Germany. (09/27/21)
Development Minister: Preventing disadvantage in poor countries
Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) warns of increasing disadvantages in poor countries when it comes to corona vaccines. “Rich countries have bought additional vaccines from the world market to enable third-party vaccinations, while over 90 percent of Africans have not even had the first vaccination,” said the CSU politician of the Funke media group, according to a preliminary report. One must prevent the poorer countries from being further disadvantaged. Müller affirmed: “We must not get into a situation in which the rich countries buy empty the market and hoard vaccines, while nothing is left for the poor countries.”
The goal of the international vaccine initiative Covax of making two billion vaccine doses available to people in poor countries by the end of the year can no longer be achieved, said Müller. So far, Covax has only distributed over 300 million vaccine doses. Vaccine shipments to Africa are expected to be 25 percent lower than expected by the end of the year. This is mainly due to a lack of supplies.
The vaccine donations from the rich countries must now be made quickly, demanded Müller. The EU states have promised 248 million cans, but have only given 20 million cans so far. “Worldwide there are 100 million cans that are about to expire and need to be vaccinated quickly,” warned the minister.
Müller also made the manufacturers responsible, who would have to change their delivery policy. “It would be absolutely unacceptable if vaccines were kept extra scarce. Or contractually promised doses were postponed to Covax in order to deliver to richer countries instead,” he emphasized. “Manufacturers should finally prefer Covax for deliveries.” (09/26/21)
Berlin techno club Berghain reopens
Berlin’s nightlife is getting one of its internationally celebrated highlights back. The Berghain wants to reopen. On its homepage the techno club, which resides in a former district heating plant, announced a first “club night” for the Saturday of the coming weekend (October 2nd). On the following Saturdays too, the techno club wants to unlock its entrance, which is regularly besieged by long lines. If you want to get in, you have to be vaccinated against Corona or have recovered from Covid-19 (2G). “We’re looking forward to our first club night after almost 19 months,” said the page. “Let the bass kick, see you on the dance floor!”
In August, the Berlin administrative court overturned the general ban on commercial dance events in closed rooms. It argued that unrestricted openings were still not allowed against the background of the corona pandemic, but events were only allowed for vaccinated and recovered people. (25.09.2021)
Masks should be compulsory in the car first aid kit
In the future, it will be mandatory to take masks with you in the car. The Federal Ministry of Transport took note of the inclusion of the two face masks in the draft to amend standard sheet DIN 13164, supported by the Federal Association of Medical Technology, and welcomed the planned implementation of the standard change as soon as possible. A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Transport announced this to the Evangelical Press Service on request. The Federal Ministry of Transport intends to then adopt the change in standards with the next change in the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, it said. At first she had Rheinische Post reported about it. The regulation is expected to take effect in the coming year.
Accordingly, the masks are to be added to the prescribed contents of the first-aid kit in cars, trucks and buses, the newspaper wrote. Anyone who then did not add two masks to the first-aid kit would face a fine. So far, according to the catalog of fines, five euros are due if the first aid kit is incomplete. (25.09.2021)
In Hamburg full clubs and dancing without a mask are possible again at 2G
After long restrictions in the corona pandemic, Hamburg is dropping its masks: In clubs, bars, restaurants, cultural and sports facilities that participate in the so-called 2-G model, there are no longer any restrictions on the number since midnight on Saturday morning the visitor or participant of an event.
So where only vaccinated and convalescent people are allowed in, you can celebrate, dance, watch films and theater or join in the excitement at sporting competitions without a gap and without a mask to the last seat. However, further contact details must be collected and hygiene concepts must be adhered to. A corresponding containment ordinance by the Senate was issued on Friday.
In addition, sellers are not required to wear a mask at weekly markets. For customers, however, it continues to apply as in supermarkets. In addition, negative corona test certificates can only be used by the employer of unvaccinated persons for professional purposes, for example no longer for a visit to the cinema. At sporting events, the flow of visitors at the entrances and exits must be equalized. If the events take place indoors, air filter systems must be available. (25.09.2021)
Stiko recommends parallel corona and flu vaccinations
Vaccinations against corona and flu can now take place on an appointment following a recommendation by the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko). It is advisable from October onwards. The prerequisite is that the influenza vaccine is a dead vaccine. Inactivated vaccines contain inactivated viruses or components of the viruses. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the influenza vaccines approved in Germany for children and adults are mostly such preparations.
Vaccination reactions could occur more frequently with simultaneous vaccinations than with separate administration, it said. However, extensive experience with non-Covid 19 vaccines has shown that the immune response and side effects are generally similar to those of a solo dose. According to the Stiko, there are no published results for Germany on the simultaneous use of approved corona vaccines and other dead vaccines. However, unpublished data from the UK showed only a slightly increased body reaction when using Covid-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time.
So far, the Stiko has not advocated a general corona booster vaccination for seniors – although older people can already get this in Germany. However, a booster dose with an mRNA vaccine is recommended for people with immunodeficiency. The Stiko is currently working on the study situation for a booster vaccination of other population groups. A decision should be made in the coming weeks. The Stiko is more cautious with its recommendation than the Conference of Health Ministers. At the beginning of August, she decided that a booster could be used from the age of 60 – at the earliest six months after the full vaccination and after “individual consideration, medical advice and decision”. (24.09.2021)
Majority against the lifting of all corona measures
According to an online survey by the Yougov opinion research institute on behalf of the German Press Agency, the majority of Germans are against a quick end to all corona requirements. 61 percent of the respondents spoke out against an immediate lifting of all restrictions. On the other hand, 33 percent would be in favor.
“In Germany around 62 percent of people were recently fully vaccinated,” was the question. “Should all restrictions to combat the corona pandemic be lifted in Germany now?” 33 percent categorically rejected this, 28 percent answered “rather no”. 19 percent are in favor of repeal, 14 percent voted “rather yes”. The strongest opposition to an immediate end to all restrictions was found in the elderly.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health in Germany, almost 64 percent of people are now completely vaccinated against the corona virus. Denmark recently lifted all corona restrictions with a vaccination rate of 83 percent.
The head of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, has called for an end to all corona restrictions by October 30th. The federal government rejected this. “The debate about dropping all measures completely ignores the concerns of the population groups who cannot be vaccinated, and in particular all children under the age of twelve,” said the Federal Managing Director of the Child Protection Association, Daniel Grein, of the editorial network Germany (RND). “In any case, the concerns of children received too little attention in the pandemic.” The current debate joins this experience. He judged a “Freedom Day” to be too risky. “The long-term consequences of Covid disease – especially in children – are not yet known. That is why it is cynical to want to expose children to this risk in an uncontrolled manner.” (09/24/2021)
Côte d’Azur no longer on the list of corona risk areas
From Sunday onwards, with the exception of some overseas territories, France will no longer be listed as a corona high-risk area by the federal government. As the last French region in Europe, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur area, which is popular with tourists, will be removed from the risk list, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Friday. This means that all quarantine rules for travelers from this region no longer apply.
The EU country Slovenia, on the other hand, is now classified as a high-risk area. Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated or has recovered and is traveling from there must be in quarantine for ten days from Sunday. An exemption is only possible after five days with a negative test. Slovenia currently holds the Council Presidency of the European Union and is hosting a Western Balkan Summit at the beginning of October, in which Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) will also take part. As of Sunday, the small Balkan country will be the only EU member that is classified as a high-risk area.
Other new high-risk areas are Ethiopia and Burundi in Africa and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. Japan and the West African Senegal are also removed from the risk list.
Countries and regions with a particularly high risk of infection are classified as high-risk areas. But not only the infection numbers are decisive for this. Other criteria are the speed at which the virus is spreading, the burden on the health system or a lack of data on the corona situation. (09/24/2021)