The virus variant first discovered in India has arrived in Germany.
Intensive care physicians are already thinking of a fourth wave, as are the experts Brinkmann and Lauterbach.
Berlin - Should you expect a fourth corona wave in Germany?
In any case, the German intensive care physicians expect that the delta variant of the virus will prevail in this country.
This is the mutation B.1.617.2, "which is supposed to be even more contagious than the currently dominant variant B.1.1.7," said Divi President Gernot Marx to the
Rheinische Post
.
It was first detected in India.
If people were careless, the number of infections could skyrocket again.
Intensive care medicine is prepared for this scenario.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), studies have shown that the mutation known as the delta variant is associated with a higher risk for the general public.
Delta variant in Germany: Lauterbach does not believe in a new lockdown
The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach also admitted in the
Rheinische Post
that the delta mutation was significantly more dangerous.
The good news, however, is that it has so far made up less than two percent of infections in Germany.
"If we prevent superspreading, we are on the safe side with this variant," said Lauterbach.
Therefore, the interiors of restaurants, hotels and events should only be accessible to vaccinated, tested or convalescent people, Lauterbach demanded.
There could be a smaller fourth wave in the fall, but there will be no need for a lockdown, he predicted.
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Virologist Melanie Brinkmann (archive picture) considers a fourth corona wave to be conceivable as early as summer 2021.
© Jens Schicke / Imago
Fourth corona wave: Brinkmann worried about gastro openings
The virologist Melanie Brinkmann, however, was concerned about larger gatherings in closed rooms, for example in fitness studios, during indoor sports or in indoor catering.
"It will be very different for me," she told the
Rheinische Post
.
When asked whether a fourth wave would come this summer, she replied: “If things are going really bad, then it will.” The impression that Germany is already on the safe side when it comes to vaccination is also believed.
She is also skeptical whether the government's promise to offer all citizens a vaccination by the end of the summer can be kept.
7-day incidences of 100 think they are possible.
"I'm afraid that can happen very quickly, even in summer."
(AFP / dpa / frs)
