In the middle of the fourth corona wave, the spread of a new virus variant is ringing the alarm bells.
Two cases have already been confirmed in Munich.
But how contagious is Omicron?
Berlin - The omicron variant of the corona virus discovered in southern Africa has reached Germany.
According to the Max von Pettenkofer Institute, the variant classified as worrying was detected in Munich in two travelers who had arrived on a flight from South Africa on November 24th. The authorities in Hesse are investigating the case of another returnee from South Africa, who, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs, is “highly suspected”.
The virus variant is apparently spreading rapidly, and cases have now been reported from many countries, including Great Britain, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Israel therefore closes its borders to foreigners.
One Omicron case is currently confirmed and seven are being investigated.
In Great Britain, where two cases are known, all arrivals must now take a PCR test on the second day after entering the country and go into quarantine until a negative result is obtained, according to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Entry restricted from many countries
The federal government is drastically restricting entry from eight countries in southern Africa due to concerns about further spread. South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi and Lesotho have been classified as virus variant areas since midnight. Airlines are now essentially only allowed to carry German citizens or people living in Germany from there to Germany. A two-week quarantine obligation applies to those entering the country - including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. It cannot be shortened by negative tests either.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified variant B.1.1.529 as "worrying" on Friday.
The EU health authority ECDC speaks of serious concerns that the variant could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the corona vaccines and increase the risk of reinfections.
The exact effects of the variant are still open.
According to the virologist Oliver Keppler, genome sequencing is still pending in the two cases in Munich.
But it was "unequivocally proven that it is this variant," said the head of the Max von Pettenkofer Institute on request.
The combination of a mutation-specific PCR test and travel history leaves no room for doubt.
Infected from South Africa
The two travelers arrived on November 24 on a flight from South Africa, said Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU).
Those affected had arranged an investigation for the virus variant themselves after learning of the danger from the media.
The Bavarian Ministry of Health appealed to all passengers who came from South Africa on the same flight to report to their responsible health department immediately.
All people who have traveled from South Africa in the past 14 days should immediately reduce their contacts, take a PCR test with details of their travel history and contact the health department immediately.
Suspected case in Hessen
Hesse's Minister of Social Affairs, Kai Klose (Greens), announced another suspected case on Saturday. In the case of a returnee from South Africa, several mutations typical for this variant were found. The fully vaccinated person reportedly entered Frankfurt Airport on November 21 and developed symptoms over the course of the week. In this case, an exact result is expected on Monday.
The passengers who landed in another plane from South Africa in Munich on Friday evening are a special case.
It was the last scheduled flight that arrived in Munich before the new regulations came into force.
Bavaria's Ministry of Health ordered strict test and quarantine regulations.
The PCR tests were positive in two passengers.
It was initially unclear whether they also carry the new variant of the Omicron virus.
There were around 300 passengers on board.
Steinmeier calls for contact restrictions
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged citizens in Germany to prevent a lockdown through voluntary contact restrictions. “It is important that we all act together now,” wrote Steinmeier in a guest post for “Bild am Sonntag”. “If we stick to the rules, let's reduce our contacts again. Let's do it so that schools and daycare centers don't close again, so that we don't have to shut down public life completely. "
The incumbent Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek called on politicians to immediately implement the recommendations of the Leopoldina Scientific Academy, such as contact restrictions, also for corona-vaccinated people.
“Politicians should follow the advice of science without hesitation.
We mustn't lose any more time, ”said the CDU politician to the German press agency.
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On Saturday, the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina proposed to quickly impose several weeks of contact bans also for vaccinated people in order to break the strong fourth corona wave.
In addition, 30 million people in Germany would have to receive a booster vaccination by the end of the year.
A vaccination, at least for employees in the health service, is necessary.
dpa
