As of today, there has been an important relaxation of corona measures in Bavaria. A planned antibody study was also presented for the Tirschenreuth district.
- An important easing of the Corona * crisis has taken effect in Bavaria since Friday (May 8).
- In March, the number of guests and overnight stays in the Free State plummeted.
- The forecast for April looks even bleaker.
- Here you will find our guide to reporting and the Corona News from Germany. You will also find current case numbers in Bavaria * as a map. The following recommendations for corona protective measures are currently available.
Update from 1.45 p.m .: A planned study was presented today at the Regensburg University Hospital. It bears the name "Prospective Covid-19 Cohort Tirschenreuth (TiKoCo19)" . The university clinics of Regensburg and Erlangen want to determine the undisclosed number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the joint study . The study is regionally limited to the Tirschenreuth district .For this purpose, around five percent of the population - around 3,600 people aged six and over - should be tested for antibodies. The tests take place at three different times: The first test should take place in late May or early June, and the second time that the study participants will be tested four to six months later. The third test takes place four to six months later.
The aim of the study is to gain knowledge that is also of national importance. The Free State of Bavaria supports the study financially. "You know that many people probably had Corona without knowing it," said Bernd Sibler, Bavarian Minister of State for Science and Art. However, the correct number of infected people can provide information about the spread of the virus - and about the so-called herd immunity. How many people have actually become infected is important information for assessing the current situation. The aim of the regional study is to gain knowledge that is also of national importance.
Antibody study in the district of Tirschenreuth: the press conference for reading
Update from 1:13 p.m .: The test procedure for the study is summarized: 3,600 participants are repeatedly asked to take the test, at a total of three times. The first is as timely as possible, explains Wagner. A second test takes place after four to six months, a third test takes place again after four to six months. It is still unclear exactly when the study will start, but a few permits still need to be obtained. The researchers hope that the first phase will begin in late May or early June, says Wagner.
When evaluating the data, expertise should also be obtained from independent bodies, thereby ensuring an independent result.
The press conference is over.
Update from 1:02 p.m .: Tobias Reiss, member of the Bavarian state parliament (Tirschenreuth district), thanks Prime Minister Markus Söder. A month ago he decided that the Tirschenreuth district should also be taken into account in a study. The aim of the study is to gain knowledge that is also of national importance. "Tirschenreuth was a hotspot", there are still the highest numbers of infected people, but "we too are feeling the relief", says Reiss. "The people in the region will participate," he assured with regard to the study.
District Administrator Roland Grillmeier, District Administrator in the Tirschenreuth district, is also at the press conference. "We are happy and grateful that we are now receiving some scientific support." The number of cases would improve at the moment, but the crisis had not yet been overcome.
Update from 12.53 p.m .: Prof. Dr. Ralf Wagner from the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene at the University of Regensburg now explains the details of the planned study. It is a prospective study, "we want an inventory", says Ralf Wagner. It should be checked at intervals of several months how the situation has developed. The district of Tirschenreuth has around 72,000 inhabitants, "we will move randomly," said Wagner. Around five percent, i.e. around 3,600 people aged six and over, are to be tested. It should start in May when everything is going well. The second and third test waves are to follow four to six months later.
"It's a complicated study," adds Wagner. The capacities also had to be created, for example in the test laboratories. A test was also developed for this purpose. Prof. Dr. Klaus Überla, head of virology in Erlangen, provides further information. "We want to develop confirmation tests", so that it is better to differentiate between false positive and true positive tests.
Corona in the Tirschenreuth district: Antibody study should provide information
Update from 12.46 p.m .: Antibodies are to be detected in the planned study in the Tirschenreuth district. "You know that many people probably had Corona without knowing it," said Sibler. The correct number of infected people can provide information about the spread of the virus - and the so-called herd immunity, adds Sibler. The Free State is spending € 650,000 on this study.
Update from 12.30 p.m .: A study is presented in the Regensburg University Hospital. Prof. Dr. Oliver Kölbl, medical director of the clinic begins. The research project is co-financed by the Free State of Bavaria, he explains.
Prof. Dr. Udo Hebel, President of the University of Regensburg, explains: "Science and the universities face a special social challenge." Bernd Sibler, Bavarian Minister of State for Science and Art, also emphasizes the importance of science in the Corona crisis.
Corona in Bavaria: border opening to Austria soon?
Update from 10:57 am: The opening of the border between Germany and Austria is moving closer in Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz . The infection rate is currently lower in Austria than in the Federal Republic. "Therefore, I also assume that the border with Germany will open before the summer," said Kurz at a video conference with representatives of the hospitality industry on Friday in Vienna.
The government also exchanges with its German partners almost every day. Opening a border is not only important from a tourist point of view, but also for many families who are currently separated by border controls . The same applies to commuters and all those who simply have to travel for professional reasons.
Corona in Bavaria: Study should show unreported number of SARS-CoV-2 infections
Update from 10.46 a.m .: The Tirschenreuth district is particularly badly affected by the spread of the corona virus. Now the University Hospitals of Regensburg and Erlangen want to determine the undisclosed number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a joint study . Science Minister Bernd Sibler (CSU) will present the project together with the participating researchers at the university clinic in Regensburg on Friday (12.30 p.m.). The study is scheduled to start in mid-May and is said to contribute to antibody research. You can watch the press conference here in the live stream.
Corona in Bavaria: Important easing comes into force today - Serious figures for the tourism industry
First report from May 8, 9:43 p.m.
On Tuesday, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder announced the Free State's exit strategy from the Corona crisis . Together with other ministers - including Minister of Culture Michael Piazolo and Minister of Economics Hubert Aiwanger - he presented a plan for how schools, day-care centers, restaurants and hotels should continue. You can find all the details in our overview.
An important easing already comes into force on Friday (May 8th). Members of two households can meet again, Söder had previously announced that.
Relief with care: From tomorrow on, members of two households can meet again in private and public spaces in Bavaria. #Bavaria is thus quickly implementing the federal-state decision. But more freedom also means caution and responsibility for everyone.
- Florian Herrmann (@fwhfreising) May 7, 2020Coronavirus in Bavaria: Aiwanger causes a sensation with its statement
Aiwanger caused a sensation on Thursday (May 7) with a view to gastronomy . "I don't believe in a second wave. But there are leading infectiologists who are urgently warning of a second wave. As an economic politician, I do not hope and I am also orienting my policy so that there will not be a second wave, because if I were to expect a second wave now, I would not be allowed to open the restaurant. ”He said that at the Bavarian state parliament meeting Committee on Economic and Regional Development, Energy, Media and Digitization.
Hotels will soon be able to open again, as Söder announced at a press conference on Tuesday: "At Pentecost, we will allow hotels and tourism, so from May 30th, Pentecost Saturday. Hotels are allowed to open under hygienic requirements. ”In March, the number of guests and overnight stays in the Free State dropped sharply . According to the Bavarian State Office for Statistics, according to the preliminary results of the monthly survey in tourism, the approximately 10,980 open accommodation establishments reported only one million guests for March. This is a decrease of 61.5 percent compared to the same month last year.
Corona crisis in Bavaria: Tourism figures in the Free State plummeted
The number of overnight stays also fell significantly in the Corona crisis. It slumped 53.4 percent to below 3.2 million. All government districts were equally affected by the massive declines, as the Bavarian State Office for Statistics announced.
The number of domestic guests declined by 58.4 percent, and demand from abroad even dropped by 71.8 percent. All types of accommodation were affected. Youth hostels suffered the greatest losses compared to the previous month (65.5 percent fewer guest arrivals ), followed by campsites (- 65.4 percent) and hotels (- 63.5 percent)
Coronavirus in the Free State: Tourism forecast for April is even darker
The reason was worldwide travel warnings and border closings . "Since the introduction of travel restrictions from March 18, 2020, the accommodation companies can only offer their accommodation options for necessary, but no longer for tourist purposes," it continues. Due to the ongoing Corona crisis, the State Statistical Office expects April to have an even greater impact on tourism results.
“The preliminary results for March included reports from 94.9 percent of Bavarian accommodation providers. The information from the companies, of which no information was available for March 2020, has been estimated, ”says the State Statistical Office. This makes the numbers very representative.
There is movement in the border dispute. Bavaria is now also talking about opening the borders in the south and east. Federal Interior Minister Seehofer wants to decide on it next week. That would mean: before Pentecost holidays. *
No restrictions were imposed in Sweden during the Corona crisis. This path was followed critically abroad. Apparently everything is geared towards rapid herd immunity. *
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network
came / dpa
