Is the fifth wave coming?

Lauterbach and Weil warn against Omikron

Created: 12/17/2021, 1:38 PM

From: Felix Busjaeger

Is the next corona wave rushing towards Germany?

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Prime Minister Stephan Weil assess the situation as threatening.

Hanover - The incidence of corona infections may decrease in Germany and Lower Saxony, but the situation remains tense, not least because of the new type of Omikron virus.

On Friday, December 17, 2021, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was a guest in Hanover and visited the vaccination center at the Zoo in Hanover together with Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD).

Weil emphasized that he and Lauterbach have a common view of the development of the corona situation.

"We are not only in trouble, we are facing much greater difficulties," said Weil, referring to the situations in the hospitals in Lower Saxony.

Corona situation in Germany: Lauterbach and Wieler warn of the Omikron wave

After Lauterbach spoke on Thursday, December 16, together with RKI boss Lothar Wieler, about the current corona situation in Germany and drew attention to possible vaccine shortages at the beginning of 2022, he said in a joint statement with Weil that he was from a massive fifth Wave going out.

The situation in other countries, including the UK, has become a cause for concern.

“We have to assume that the wave of omicons that we are facing, which in my opinion we cannot prevent, will be a massive challenge for our hospitals, for our intensive care units, but also for society as a whole,” he said .

The number of corona cases in Germany is still falling daily.

Lauterbach and Weil fear, however, that the trend will be reversed if the Omikron variant prevails in this country.

(Symbol picture) © Robert Michael / dpa

Lauterbach made it clear that a booster vaccination would currently offer the best protection against infection.

The day before had announced that the current vaccine supply would not be sufficient for the planned booster vaccination campaign.

At the same time, however, he emphasized that he was already trying to get more vaccine deliveries.

"We are at a key point in the pandemic."

Omikron variant: Corona situation in Lower Saxony continues to be tense

The connection of the Omikron variant in connection with the current corona situation in Lower Saxony is also of particular concern to Weil.

In order to keep the effects as low as possible, he calls again to be vaccinated against the coronavirus variant.

"If we're not careful, Omikron is faster than we can vaccinate."

The vaccination center in Hanover has been offering vaccinations for children from the age of five since Wednesday, December 15.

Possible child vaccinations have been discussed heatedly in the past few days.

Lauterbach was impressed by the processes and emphasized the need for children to be protected against the virus by a corona vaccination.

Warning level 2 in Lower Saxony: Stricter rules and Christmas rest determine everyday life

In the meantime, warning level 2 including 2G-Plus rules will apply nationwide from Friday, December 17, 2021 - this was decided by the Lower Saxony politicians. Due to the situation in the hospitals, the next level of the Lower Saxony Corona Ordinance has been declared. The stricter rules provide, among other things, stronger restrictions for the everyday life of many people in the state. "The fourth wave is not over, we cannot tick that off yet," said Weil when the new Corona regulation was announced. Body-friendly services such as hairdressers are still open and not affected by the 2G-Plus rules.

Over Christmas and New Year's Eve, Prime Minister Weil has also imposed a Christmas rest in Lower Saxony: then warning level 3 applies across the country with significantly stricter contact restrictions.

"We have to raise the dike before the water is there," said the SPD politician, explaining the planned tightening of the rules.

The Prime Minister is particularly concerned about the confusing situation regarding the Omikron virus variant:

Even if Lower Saxony is still doing relatively well in a nationwide comparison with regard to the number of infections, the development must be monitored closely, he said at the beginning of the week.

"At the beginning of next year you will have to think about the right strategy to meet what is perhaps the greatest challenge so far".

2G in Lower Saxony's retail trade: court overturns corona regulation

Shortly before Christmas and the Christmas rest planned for Lower Saxony, the Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg overturned the 2G rule that has recently come into force in retail.

According to the judges from Lower Saxony, such a corona rule is not necessary and also not compatible with the general principle of equality.

At 2G in retail, only vaccinated and convalescent people had access to shops.

After the lifting of the 2G rule, Prime Minister Stephan Weil warned that more people could come into the country without a corona vaccination.

Lower Saxony is now the only state in Germany that no longer has 2G in retail.

* Kreiszeitung.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.