Many European countries are currently recording a record number of new corona infections. This is due to the new Omikron variant.
The German virologist Christian Drosten (49) is also convinced: “It will be tough again.” The rapid spread of Omikron could also make new contact restrictions, such as a partial lockdown, necessary, said Drosten in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung.”
“We have to wait and see whether and how the measures that are now in force and that have been followed up work,” said Drosten, referring to the newly introduced measures in Germany.
1G for boosters?
Should these not work, Drosten brings a 1G rule into play – the G would then, however, stand for «boosted». Drosten justifies the idea that those who have recently been boosted contribute significantly less to further dissemination. It is true that people who have been vaccinated twice are also protected from severe courses. “The protection against an omicron infection is practically missing, however,” says the virologist.
Despite the high number of cases, Drosten is optimistic in the interview. He assumes that Omikron will be the variant that will accompany Europe into the endemic phase. The virus will probably become a “normal companion for humans.”
«Lots of deaths» when the virus passed through
Initial studies from South Africa and Great Britain show that Omikron probably leads to milder disease courses than Delta. Drosten was confident on the basis of the first data, but at the same time emphasized that the data situation was still incomplete.
It is therefore important to continue to be vaccinated. “If we let the virus go through now, we will have many deaths and full intensive care units. You shouldn’t turn a blind eye to that, that’s why politics also act, ”says Drosten. (zis)
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