Corona current
RKI boss explains plateau in the 7-day incidence
© Jürgen Heinrich / imago images
The corona curve for the 7-day incidence values is stagnating – at too high a level, says RKI boss Lothar Wieler. But why are the numbers not falling further?
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn and the head of the Robert Koch Institute, Prof. Dr. Lothar Wieler, answered questions from journalists at a federal press conference this Friday. In doing so, they provide information about the infection process and the vaccination status in Germany.
Corona: Two percent of all Germans are vaccinated
"Trust under stress" – that is what characterizes the cooperation between federal and state governments during the global pandemic, says Jens Spahn. So far, two percent of all citizens in Germany have been vaccinated with a second dose and thus have full protection. Almost five million vaccination doses were given for this, the Minister of Health explains, three million of which were first vaccinations. The proportion of second vaccinations is high, says Spahn.
Where does the plateau come from in the 7 day incidence?
And according to the Minister of Health, the number of vaccine doses delivered will total 10 million by the end of next week. The speed with which people could get vaccinations is increasing rapidly: The current maximum of 140,000 to 150,000 vaccinations per day will have to be at least doubled in the coming weeks, according to Spahn. That all sounds hopeful, all well and good, but: why is the nationwide 7-day incidence not falling more sharply, but is at a constant level?
New mutations as the cause?
Lothar Wieler also recognizes these developments: "At the moment it looks as if many federal states are heading for a plateau, but this plateau is still too high," said the RKI boss. The downward trend of the past few weeks would not continue, but stagnate – despite the ongoing lockdown and apparently more and more vaccinated people? Wieler emphasizes that it is not yet known exactly to what extent the "worrying variants" would play a role in these developments.
Share of infections with B.1.1.7 is increasing "rapidly"
A "worrying variant" of the corona virus is also mutant B.1.1.7, which is more contagious than the variant that has been widespread up to now. The proportion of infections that can be traced back to this mutant is increasing "rapidly", according to Wieler. You have to be prepared for the fact that this would also make the fight against the pandemic more difficult, he continues. This is mainly due to the fact that even more people could be infected within a short time than is already the case. Wieler expects more outbreaks – especially among younger people.
"Each of us has to take the wheel into our own hands"
The RKI boss constantly emphasizes that all three vaccines used in Germany protect safely and reliably against a COVID-19 infection – this also means the new, more contagious variant B.1.1.7. He also continues to insist on compliance with the so-called "AHA rules", asks to limit his contacts as much as possible and to refrain from traveling where possible: "Our behavior, that we all adhere to the measures – that is the most important thing and the most powerful means that we ourselves have in hand. "
Source: Federal press conference on February 19, 2021