The corona infections continued to rise over the holidays. The number of hospitalizations, on the other hand, remains stable. Former “Mister Corona” Daniel Koch (66) believes that there is reason to hope. “The gap between the number of those infected and those hospitalized is widening more than ever before in this pandemic. That is a good sign, ”he says in an interview with the“ Tages-Anzeiger ”.
The reason for this is probably not only that Omikron is more contagious, but less dangerous, but also has to do with the fact that many people have already recovered or been vaccinated. “This basic immunity protects,” says Koch.
He thinks it is important and right to concentrate on hospital admissions in the future. This number is more reliable than the number of cases. Especially since the former employee of the Federal Office of Public Health is convinced that many cases are not discovered at all.
56% omicron cases: Omikron is raging brutally in Switzerland(00:48)
“The decisive factor is how much older people are affected”
Although a new increase in infections cannot be ruled out, Koch does not want to scare. «We must continue to look very closely at how hospitalizations are developing. At the moment the situation looks less dramatic than it had recently feared. “
Koch’s suggestion: focus on the risk groups. “The decisive factor is how much older people are affected, because they are primarily at risk. Fortunately, many of them are vaccinated and boosted and are therefore better protected. “
Measures are needed that “protect those over 40, and especially the very old, and other vulnerable people. 2G + should be introduced during visits to retirement and nursing homes. ” And he recommends vaccination for young people.
Waves with fewer hospitalizations
Koch advises against closings. Because Omikron is so contagious that “it would take such strong measures that the side effects are greater than the benefits.” In addition, Koch believes that the impact on hospitalizations would not be massive.
Koch is somewhat optimistic about the future. “The virus will circulate, there will be waves in autumn and winter, but with fewer hospitalizations. Vulnerables will also have to be protected with vaccinations in the future, annually or even more frequently. But I don’t think we all have to keep getting vaccinated every four or six months. ” (man)