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AIn view of the planned far-reaching easing of the corona measures, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) urges special consideration when dealing with vulnerable groups. The number of corona outbreaks in old people’s and nursing homes increased again in the week up to February 13, according to the RKI weekly report published on Thursday evening. The number of active outbreaks in old people’s and nursing homes has risen to 414 (previous week: 373). 5,226 cases were reported in these outbreaks. In medical treatment facilities, the number of active outbreaks remained “stable, but at a high level”.
“Success of the Corona measures allows relaxation and more contacts. But: Vulnerable groups, such as older people, must continue to be protected from #Omicron,” the authority commented on Twitter. For this reason, complete vaccination protection with booster vaccinations, rapid tests and compliance with hygiene and protective measures are still of great importance, especially before and during meetings with people at risk.
In the course of the debate about opening steps, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had already formulated the assessment that the peak of the omicron wave had passed. The RKI experts now explain in the weekly report that, in their estimation, Germany was at the peak of the fifth wave with more than a million reported new infections in the week up to February 13.
In view of a recent slight decline in the number of cases, there are now indications that this peak will be exceeded. “However, there is still a very high infection pressure in the population,” warn the experts.
According to the RKI, the highest seven-day incidences were still recorded in children between the ages of five and 14. But even in the older age groups, the seven-day incidences have recently increased again significantly.
Omicron subtype BA.2 continues to grow
The BA.2 variant from Omikron, which can be transferred even more quickly according to initial findings, has increased noticeably according to the RKI. The proportion of corona cases examined in a sample has recently risen to 14.9 percent. This information refers to the week up to February 6th – for the week before, the RKI gives the share as 10.4 percent.
Due to the progressive spread and easier transferability of BA.2, “a slower decrease or a renewed increase in the number of cases cannot be ruled out,” it says. The planned relaxation of the corona measures and an associated increase in contacts could therefore also contribute to such a development.
Experts have recently increasingly pointed to BA.2 as a possible uncertainty factor. In countries like Denmark, the subtype has already spread rapidly. This is therefore also possible in Germany and, according to many, could ensure that the omicron wave is extended.
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