Corona current
Virus mutation paralyzes Berlin clinic – 2,000 people in quarantine
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In Berlin's Humboldt Clinic, people were infected with the British coronavirus mutation. There are now over 2,000 people in quarantine.
A corona outbreak was reported at the Humboldt Clinic in Berlin. The virus appears to be spreading rapidly – and it is actually the British mutation B.1.1.7.
Corona mutation in a Berlin hospital
According to the "Berliner Zeitung", a total of 20 people are currently infected with the coronavirus mutant, including 14 patients and six employees. Now 50 more positive test results should already be available, but it has not yet been clarified whether it is also the mutation.
The Humboldt Clinic has now imposed tough measures: According to "RTL" 2,000 people are said to be under quarantine, and the hospital has announced an admission freeze. In addition, the Berliner Verkehrsgesellschaft is now to provide support and organize shuttles for employees' commute to work who are under commuter quarantine – this is to protect the Berlin population from the mutant of the corona virus.
However, it is unclear how the new variant of the coronavirus got into the clinic. There should be no return travelers among those who tested positive. Tracing and uncovering the source of infection is currently in full swing.
The corona mutation was detected during routine testing of patients and employees of the clinic. As a result, first the affected ward and then the entire hospital should have imposed an admission freeze. According to RTL information, those who tested positive are in isolation.
"The fact that the new mutation is more infectious seems to be true. We can feel it firsthand," reported Johannes Danckert, head of the hospital operator Vivantes, in an interview with ZDF. Because the hygiene measures have all been implemented – and the virus was still able to spread in the clinic. Now the main thing is to protect the population.
Sources used: Berliner Zeitung, ZDF, RTL