[ad_1]
The number of new infections in Germany has stabilized, but it is still too high. This is the conclusion of the Robert Koch Institute. Older people, in particular, should be better protected because cases have increased.
The situation in Germany remains very tense. This is how the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) assesses the current situation in the corona pandemic. Although two managed to stabilize the number of cases in recent weeks through the measures, they would not noticeably decline, RKI chief Lothar Wieler said at a press conference. “Too many people are still infected,” he warned. Health authorities are overwhelmed when it comes to tracing contacts, hospitals are on edge, and there are increasing outbreaks in homes for the elderly and elderly. Wieler said there was also an increase in serious courses and deaths.
Many more deaths are expected
The RKI president warned that many more deaths were expected. “Unfortunately, this development is not surprising.” If the number of cases remained high, an increase was to be expected. The goal remains, Wieler explained, to prevent new infections and keep infections at a level that is easy to cope with.
German health authorities have reported 22,046 new corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) since yesterday. In November, the number of new infections was between 11,000 and 23,000 per day. With 479 new deaths, it was the second highest level since the start of the pandemic. The previous high of 487 deaths was reached yesterday. Almost 4,000 people with a corona infection are receiving intensive medical treatment. The total number of people who died from a proven Sars-CoV-2 infection in Germany rose to 17,602. In total, the RKI recorded around 1.1 million infections. It is estimated that around 800,000 people have recovered.
Like yesterday, the so-called seven-day R-value was 0.89. This means that, in theory, 100 infected people infect 89 more people. The value represents the onset of infection 8-16 days ago. If the value is below the value of 1 for a longer period of time, the infection rate decreases.
“We are not at the mercy of the virus”
According to the RKI, the development in the individual federal states is quite different. Saxony currently has the largest increase in incidence in seven days, Situation Center Director Ute Rexroth said, followed by Thuringia. The incidence also remains high in Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. In city-states like Hamburg and Berlin there is a slight downward trend. In relation to the regions, none currently has a value of more than 500 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days.
Most corona deaths are age 70 or older
“It is with great concern” that we are currently looking at development among the older population groups, Wieler said. Most corona deaths are age 70 or older. Currently, the virus is spreading strongly, especially in nursing homes and nursing homes. It circulates in the younger population groups and then moves to the older population groups, explained the head of RKI.
Wieler called for vulnerable groups to be better protected. Everyone can contribute something. He urged all citizens to respect the rules on distance, hygiene and everyday masks “always and everywhere.” “The risk is always there.” This is crucial because, in principle, you can get infected wherever people gather. “We are not at the mercy of the virus,” Wieler said. Covid-19 is “a preventable disease”.
Self-assessments for teachers and educators
Wieler described rapid tests in schools as a “sensible and strategic means.” However, only within the framework of a clear overall hygiene concept. Although dynamics in schools are lagging behind developments, there is also an increase here. According to the RKI, there have been 636 corona outbreaks in schools since the start of the pandemic. According to a newspaper report by the Funke media group, around 64 outbreaks per week have been reported for the past four weeks. A third of these were registered in schoolchildren between 15 and 20 years old, and among those between 6 and 10 years old the outbreaks were less than 20 percent. According to the data, the proportion of infection cases in schools was around two percent.
To keep schools and daycare centers open, teachers and educators must be able to get tested for the corona virus after receiving proper training. “Nursery schools and schools or their providers can independently obtain and use rapid tests starting Friday,” said Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. Rapid antigen tests are intended to help better protect teachers and educators, and therefore children as well.
Until now, these tests have only been allowed by trained medical personnel. With a new regulation going into effect tomorrow, self-tests should be allowed. Additionally, school authorities can conduct on-site testing with trained personnel if necessary. “This is another option that is suitable for everyday use to allow children to go to daycare or school even in times of pandemic,” Spahn said.
