Is the second lockdown looming? Concerned pandemic officer warns the state: "That won't work"

The number of people infected with corona in Bavaria is rising significantly again. The pandemic officer at the Freising Clinic is very concerned about a second lockdown.

Freising - It wasn't long ago that the employees of the Freising Clinic had to push their limits every day. During the corona lockdown , the staff experienced "the maximum load," says Dr. Christian Fiedler , pandemic officer at the clinic. Although the number of infections is rising steadily across Germany, the situation at the clinic is currently calm. Fiedler is still concerned: "It is questionable whether the population - and also the clinic employees - would participate in a second wave with a second lockdown ."

Every bed that is blocked for Covid-19 patients means one less bed for the 'normal' sick.

The number of cases in the Freising district is increasing again. "But these people are apparently not so sick that they would have to be treated as inpatients," says Fiedler. “We have not seen any increase.” There are currently six patients in the hospital, none of them in the intensive care unit. "Overall, it has to be said that the patients we have received in the past few weeks do not stand out in the district's registration statistics," explains Fiedler. These are truck drivers or air travelers who have come to the hospital in Freising. "But the statistics are based on the primary residence."

But even if the number of sick people increases, the clinic is prepared. There is still an isolation ward with 16 rooms or 30 beds only available for corona patients - with its own staff and completely isolated from the rest of the house. “We had four corona stations for the wedding. So theoretically you can upgrade again, ”says Fiedler. But he also emphasizes: "Every bed that is blocked for Covid-19 patients means one less bed for 'normal' patients."

Concern about the second corona lockdown in Freising: quality of protective equipment sometimes "catastrophic"

Of course, normal operations have to be shut down again if the number of cases increases. “But whether it will work so seamlessly?” The pandemic officer says: For once, such an exceptional situation as in spring is feasible. “But if this emergency operation, which has demanded everything, becomes routine and has to run two or three times a year - that won't work.” Fiedler is not sure whether the clinic staff will buy again all the hardships without ifs and buts would take, and also whether the population would not defend themselves against a new lockdown .

The subject of protective equipment is also sensitive. Some have been stored and continue to order. "But you still hardly get anything - and when you do, the quality is catastrophic, " says Fiedler. If the events of March repeat themselves, it will be tight. "The equipment that we normally have in stock for half a year was gone in a week."

Corona in Bavaria: "The pandemic is not over yet" - Is the second lockdown coming?

So that it doesn't get that far, not only the state government , but also the district office appeals to the citizens. On Monday came actors in the civil protection are involved in the district office together to share information. The main focus was on the increase in the number of infections across Germany, says Robert Winkler, who heads the district administrator's office. A second wave cannot yet be spoken of. “Nevertheless, citizens should also remind themselves that the pandemic is not over yet. Therefore, everyone should be instructed to be extremely careful. "

In this round, the re-establishment of a test center was also discussed. The BRK Freising could possibly operate this again from September, reports BRK boss Albert Söhl to the daily newspaper. "Talks are currently ongoing."

Also read: A “new start in terms of personnel” and a “conceptual realignment” are planned for the Freising Clinic. District Administrator Helmut Petz is to set up a "Task Force" for this.