Data from the South African health authorities suggest that the country has already overcome the fourth corona wave. This was announced by the government and again relaxed the measures with which the spread of the particularly contagious Omicron variant should be prevented. With immediate effect, there are no more curfews in the African country, and alcohol can also be sold again. However, 20 percent of all corona tests in South Africa are still positive. It is still compulsory to wear masks in public.
“The speed at which the omicron wave built, peaked, and then dropped was amazing,” said Fareed Abdullah of the South African Medical Research Council New York Times. “It was more of a spring tide than a wave.” The number of deaths increased only marginally.
Some scientists predict similar patterns in other countries. However, others emphasize that it is difficult to make predictions due to the different age structures, lifestyles and previous history of the pandemic. (31.12.2021)
Nationwide incidence is increasing
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) published a higher nationwide seven-day incidence on Friday than the day before – but with the restriction that the data can provide an incomplete picture due to the low test and reporting activity during the holidays. The RKI gave the value of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants and week in the morning as 214.9. The day before, the nationwide value was 207.4, a week ago it was 265.8. The health authorities in Germany reported 41,240 new corona infections to the RKI within one day. A week ago there were 35,431 infections.
According to the new information, 323 deaths were recorded across Germany within 24 hours. A week ago there were 370 deaths. The RKI has counted 7,150,422 detected infections with Sars-CoV-2 since the beginning of the pandemic. The actual number is likely to be significantly higher, as many infections are not recognized.
The number of corona patients admitted to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was given by the RKI on Thursday as 3.15 (Wednesday 3.18). The RKI stated the number of those who had recovered on Friday at 6,382,900. The number of people who died with or with a proven infection with Sars-CoV-2 rose to 111,925. (31.12.2021)
Virologists cautiously optimistic about further corona developments
Prominent virologists see reason for cautious optimism in the further development of the corona pandemic in Germany. The Berlin virologist Christian Drosten refers to data from South Africa, where the particularly contagious virus variant Omikron initially spread: “In a certain way that can calm us down. South Africa is certainly a glimpse into a future, into an endemic situation that is currently occurring there “, said Drosten on Thursday evening in the ZDF-” heute journal “https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/.” Unfortunately we are still a long way off. ” The development in Great Britain with regard to Omikron is also encouraging, said Drosten, “because the number of serious illnesses seems to be lower”.
The transition from a pandemic to an endemic situation means that the virus will continue to spread, but is less dangerous – comparable to the typical cold viruses, which also include other coronaviruses.
The Bonn virologist Hendrik Streeck said on the program “RTL Direkt”: “Germany is lucky that the other countries are ahead of us. We can see what is happening there and prepare for it.” In addition, the politicians in this country would have taken quite strong measures. “That gives hope that we will get a milder wave.”
Both scientists sit on the Federal Government’s new Expert Council. Most experts as well as Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) expect that the peak of an omicron wave in Germany is still to come. Drosten sees the politicians therefore still challenged, “maybe until Easter”. Experts anticipate that the peak of an omicron wave in Germany is still to come. (12/30/2021)
US agency emphasizes the importance of vaccinations for minors
The US health authority CDC has highlighted the importance of vaccinations against Covid-19 in children and adolescents with two new studies. Serious reactions to the vaccine had rarely been reported after giving about eight million doses to people aged five to eleven since October, one of the reports said.
In another study at six hospitals, the US scientists found that the vast majority of all minors treated for Covid-19 were not fully vaccinated – only 0.4 percent had completed the series of two injections. Two thirds of Covid patients between the ages of 12 and 17 were obese. The CDC called for vaccinations to protect minors from Covid-19 – especially those who are very overweight or have previous illnesses. (12/30/2021)
Italy reports more than 100,000 new corona infections
The health authorities in Italy recorded more than 100,000 new corona infections within one day on Thursday. The Ministry of Health reported almost 127,000 corona cases in the evening. In the past 24 hours, almost 160 people died with the virus.
The Mediterranean country again reached a record value after the around 98,000 registered corona cases from the previous day. In the past few days, the number of corona tests carried out has also increased steadily. A negative proof is now necessary in many parts of public life. Most recently, the proportion of positive results among all tests has also continued to increase.
Of France Health Minister Olivier Veran announced 206,243 new infections for Thursday. As of Wednesday, the number of new cases was 208,099.
the Turkey has the highest number of new infections since April 28th. According to the authorities, 39,681 new corona cases were registered within one day. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca warns in particular about the Omikron variety and calls on the population to behave much more cautiously than before.
In Great Britain the number of new infections reached a new record at 189,213. The authorities report that. There are 332 more deaths recorded. (12/30/2021)
Turkey uses its own vaccine
Turkey starts with vaccinations of the corona vaccine developed in its own country. The Turkovac vaccine is now being administered in the city’s hospitals, says Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. With Turkovac, booster vaccinations after the first vaccination with other means are also possible. The vaccine had only received emergency approval from the Turkish authorities last week.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had announced that Turkovac would be made available worldwide. However, the government has not yet published detailed information on the effectiveness and results of the clinical studies. So far, the vaccines from Biontech and Pfizer as well as the Chinese manufacturer Sinovac have been administered in Turkey. (12/30/2021)
RKI classifies Italy as a high risk area
The federal government is now also classifying Italy, Canada, Malta and San Marino as high-risk areas due to the high number of corona infections. Mauritius, on the other hand, is no longer a high-risk area, as from the listing of the Robert Koch Institute emerges. The new ratings apply from midnight on Saturday.
Unvaccinated people who enter Germany from high-risk areas have to be in quarantine for ten days, but can test themselves after five days. Children under the age of twelve must be in quarantine for five days. Vaccinated and convalescent people have to register their entry digitally. (12/30/2021)