In view of the worrying combination of the fourth corona wave and the new virus variant from South Africa, SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach is calling for a quick, tightened approach.
Berlin - Health expert and epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is calling for more far-reaching restrictions in view of the fourth corona wave and the appearance of the new, dangerous virus variant Omikron from South Africa.
In the ARD Tagesthemen on Friday evening (November 26th) he emphasized that the infection process was “more aggressive than expected”.
The number of infections in Germany is still increasing and reaching new highs.
According to Lauterbach, the measures would have worked, as contacts are falling somewhat.
“But it is not yet where it should be,” says Lauterbach.
It is therefore necessary that even stricter corona measures are implemented.
Lauterbach's criticism: 2G and 2G-plus are not implemented correctly
Lauterbach sees a particularly big problem in the fact that the checks on 2G and 2G-plus are "not at all appropriate". In addition, there are still too many large events: "It is precisely these large events and also the full bars, the full shops that cause us problems". Lauterbach is particularly concerned about the potentially dangerous new virus variant that has appeared in southern Africa. This variant could also reach Germany. Should that happen, we would have “a huge problem”.
Because nothing is worse than the combination of a new, particularly dangerous virus variant in the middle of a "running wave".
The new variant seems to be dangerous for both unvaccinated and vaccinated people.
"That's why we have to work with travel restrictions here, every day that can be won until this variant comes, really counts here," says Lauterbach.
Dangerous new corona variant: Lauterbach relies on booster vaccination
The SPD health expert emphasized that the booster vaccinations would also protect against this variant, because the effect of a third vaccination is very strong.
If this variant actually spreads widely, which cannot be assessed at the moment, “a new vaccine would have to be developed”.
This would then be available in three months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the new virus variant from South Africa with the scientific name B. 1. 1. 529 on Friday (November 26th) as "worrying". It is feared that the many mutations in the variant cause the pathogen to spread faster or that the vaccines lose their protective effect.
According to current knowledge, the virus variant Omikron could be even more contagious than the rampant Delta variant.
Numerous countries, including Germany and other EU member states, have already stopped air traffic with South Africa and other countries in the region.
However, a first case was discovered in Belgium on Friday.
Other cases have been reported in Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
The new virus variant is also suspected in Germany.
at / dpa / afp