New mutation already accounts for half of all cases: Omikron on the advance

Created: 01/06/2022, 8:00 AM

From: Sebastian Tauchnitz

At the moment, every positive test is also checked to see whether there is an Omikron variant.

© picture alliance / dpa / SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire / Pavlo Gonchar

At least since the Omikron variant of the corona virus began its triumphant advance in northern Germany, concerns about a renewed increase in the number of infections have also been growing in the Weilheim-Schongau district.

District

- Compared to the situation a few weeks ago, the situation is comparatively calm at the moment. There is no backlog in the processing of new cases of infection in the district health department, as it was said on request yesterday: “All cases that are reported to the health department can be processed on a daily basis. We worked in two teams over the holidays (one Christmas team, one New Year's / Drei-König team). As a result, everything could be processed on a daily basis. "

The only unpredictability that remains is what impact the less testing activity had over the holidays.

The health department also takes a relatively relaxed view of this question: “There was not much less testing over the holidays, especially since many people probably wanted to make sure again before visiting relatives or at New Year's Eve celebrations that they were not endangering anyone.

A comprehensive range of rapid and PCR tests was available, but often only shortened opening times were offered. "

Omicron determination usually takes two to three days

When it comes to the topic of Omikron, you see yourself well armed. On average, it takes two to three days until the result of a sequencing is available and you know exactly whether an infected person is carrying the new mutation or the previously dominant delta variant of the corona virus. The maximum time it takes to detect an omicron is seven days. According to its own information, the health department is playing it safe: “All people who tested positive are informed that it could also be Omikron. In particular, when it comes to contact persons for confirmed Omikron cases and those returning from a trip, we primarily assume that they are Omikron. "This means that the longer quarantine rule applies to these people for the time being until it is clear whether they want to use the Omikron Variant are infected or not. So it is not possibleTo test yourself out of quarantine after seven days as a boosted person, as before.

The laboratories are required to carry out a rapid differentiation according to Omikron for every positive result.

In the positively reported cases, the delta variant has so far dominated.

According to the health department, the Omikron variant made up around 15 percent of the daily cases on January 3rd.

Just one day later, on Tuesday yesterday, half of the cases were due to the Omikron variant: "We expect Omikron to be the dominant variant in our district at the end of January as well."

Omicron detection doesn't have to be bad news

As the statement shows, that doesn't necessarily have to be bad news: “From what we know, Omikron is more likely to take place in the upper respiratory tract.

On the one hand this is good because severe disease processes are so rare, on the other hand Omikron is much more contagious. "

With Omikron, the symptoms would be more like those of a flu-like infection with a sore throat, runny nose and general exhaustion.

Loss of smell and taste are rarer.

But one thing is important: "As before, the vaccination and boosting protect against severe disease," it continues.

In the meantime, the situation in the district's intensive care units has eased.

Only two Covid patients received intensive care in the district yesterday.