The fourth wave is picking up speed and the situation is becoming critical.
Without countermeasures, there will be a lot of suffering, warns the RKI boss.
Health Minister Spahn calls for further protective measures.
Berlin - The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) warns of a further worsening of the corona situation in Germany.
“If we don't take countermeasures now, this fourth wave will bring a lot of suffering again.
Many people will become seriously ill and die, and the health system will be heavily burdened again, ”said RKI boss Lothar Wieler on Wednesday in Berlin.
Unfortunately, the wave is developing exactly as feared, since not enough people have been vaccinated and the behavioral instructions to protect against infection and the 2 and 3G rules are no longer adequately implemented.
"These are terrifying numbers," said Wieler, referring to the deaths recorded in Germany.
Spahn: "The pandemic is anything but over"
Meanwhile, the acting Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn urges caution and further protective measures. "The pandemic is anything but over," said the CDU politician. In some regions, the number of intensive care patients is increasing, and transfers to other hospitals are already planned. It is now important again to prevent overloading the health system. Test concepts are necessary in all nursing homes, and in regions with a large number of infections there are also access rules only for vaccinated and convalescent people (2G).
Spahn reiterated his appeal for more booster vaccinations in order to strengthen vaccinations that had been in the past. The speed of "boosting" is not enough. Therefore, all countries should write to all people over the age of 60 and point this out. Looking at the practices, the minister said: “Too many people who want to be vaccinated cannot currently find a doctor who vaccinates them.” He therefore wanted to talk to medical representatives about solutions. Public “booster” offers are also important, which does not necessarily have to be at the large vaccination centers.
Spahn again campaigned for a federal-state top round on the corona procedure.
It is important to take the minister-presidents on board alongside the health ministers and to base decisions on the broadest possible basis.
This now makes sense in the transition phase up to the start of the new federal government in order to achieve uniform communication and thus acceptance.
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RKI boss Wieler called for vaccinations and compliance with the rules on distance, hygiene, masks and ventilation.
The vaccination is not a silver bullet, he made it clear: It does not work the same for all vaccinated.
"In addition, the vaccination protection can decrease over time - especially with the elderly, who are already very vulnerable." Solidarity remains the order of the day, Wieler emphasized.
"We all want this winter to be the last winter of the Covid-19 pandemic." Everyone is responsible for the further development of the fourth wave.
Many lives could be saved with vaccinations and compliance with the measures.
dpa
