On root cause research in the hotspot: Why is the region hit so hard?

The seven-day incidence of new corona infections in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen is still very high at 742.5 (value on Thursday according to the RKI).

At times the district was in the sad Germany-wide top ten, now it is ranked 18th. But why does it hit this region so badly?

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen

- That is a question that is "very, very difficult to answer," says District Office spokeswoman Marlis Peischer. Some theses and speculations are still in circulation. The Tölzer Kurier asked the District Office to classify some of them.

Low vaccination rate and a traditionally vaccine-skeptical population?

With 58 percent of the total population in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, fewer people are currently fully vaccinated than in the Bavarian (67.0) and national average (67.3 percent). The district had already attracted attention with one of the worst measles vaccination rates in all of Germany. Is the widespread critical attitude towards vaccinations a cause for the current high number of infections? The Tölz health department head Dr. Stephan Gebrande: “Like everyone else, we are left with speculation. However, it has to be said that even before Corona there was a higher degree of vaccination skepticism in our region than in other regions of Germany in a nationwide comparison. "

Insufficient control of the 2G / 3G rules?

In a comment on the District Office's Facebook page, a citizen complained that he was never asked for proof of vaccination in ten restaurant visits.

“Basically there are controls.

And for anyone who does not check the relevant evidence, this has consequences, "says authority spokeswoman Marlis Peischer, but also explains:" We cannot put someone to check in front of every bar. "As in traffic, it is not possible for everyone punish individual violations of the rules.

"It is the responsibility of the respective operator to adhere to the existing rules."

Private parties or other superspreading events?

In the region people like to celebrate, 100 or 200 guests at a wedding or a birthday are not uncommon. Whether this contributes to a faster spread of the coronavirus than elsewhere, "this question cannot be answered seriously," said Peischer. “It's no secret that private parties take place,” she says. Such celebrations are not officially registered. Whether festivals in the district are bigger than elsewhere, "we are not entitled to judge that," said the district office spokeswoman. Health department chief Gebrande says: “Certainly, festivals, no matter why they take place, carry a certain risk. Only: Our infection process has reached such proportions that an infection can happen anywhere. ”According to Peischer, the health department is still unknown in the majority of Covid patients where they were specifically infected.

Leonhardi Effect?

Even if the Leonhardi trips in Bad Tölz and Benediktbeuern were canceled, many people met in bars.

If at all, possible infections would only show up in the statistics after a few days of incubation, says Peischer.

And even then, the evidence of a connection with Leonhardi will hardly be verifiable.

The geographical location close to the border / entry by travelers returning?

"Returning travelers play a negligible role in the statistics," explains Peischer.

No more contact tracking / checking of the quarantine by the health department?

"It is true that we are currently not in a position to contact everyone immediately," admits Gebrande. “That is simply not a good thing, but it does not release people from acting independently. So if, for example, I had contact with a person who tested positive and who is now in isolation, then I should try to get a test as soon as possible and go into quarantine. "

Schools and kindergartens as infection drivers?

The seven-day incidence is highest in the age group of 10 to 19 year olds at over 1000. Gebrande explains: “Schools, and thus children, are the non-clinical areas or groups of people that have been tested the most, alongside the homes. It is clear that this is why there are always positive tests. On the other hand, this is also the fastest way to detect infections and take appropriate measures. Fortunately, we only had a few real chains of infection, such as the last one at the secondary school in Geretsried, based on the total number of infections in schools. So far we have not found that schools are hotspots. "

Outbreaks in Nursing Homes?

"In nursing homes you noticed the vaccination at the beginning because the infections there then quickly receded," says Gebrande. “We now had outbreaks, but considering the generally high number of infections, there weren't many. This leads to the conclusion that the vaccination protection is apparently decreasing and more people are infected there again. At the same time, the booster vaccinations have been running for a few weeks, so I hope that we will get some rest in this area. We currently have an outbreak in a home in Wolfratshausen. But the general infection process also plays a role here. If people everywhere are becoming more infected, it can also be more easily registered in a home. Fortunately, the vaccinated show milder courses. "

To what extent is the health department researching the causes and taking countermeasures?

"At the moment we primarily have to contact and inform those affected," says Gebrande. "Countermeasures are being taken with the Ordinance on Infection Protection Measures. In the district - I remind you - measures were taken before it was indicated according to the RKI figures - because we knew that the incidences must be higher than those recorded by the RKI. Do you know what would help us most besides vaccination? Honesty, mindfulness and independent action with a view to society as a whole. And that also includes perhaps doing without one or the other. "

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