Big change for those who have recovered: RKI shortens status after corona infection

Created: 01/17/2022Updated: 01/17/2022 7:34 p.m

By: Patrick Huljina

After surviving a corona infection, people were previously considered recovered for 180 days.

According to the RKI, the proof has only been valid for half as long since Saturday.

Berlin - Omikron now also dominates in Germany.

More and more people are getting infected with the corona virus*.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported several new records in the past week in the number of new infections.

The nationwide seven-day incidence is now over 500. The 2G rule still applies in many areas: Access only for vaccinated and recovered people.

The RKI has now announced a major change in the recovered status.

Recovered status: RKI shortened to 90 days

Anyone who has survived a corona infection * has so far been considered recovered in Germany for six months.

Instead of the previous 180 days, the recovered status has only been valid for 90 days since Saturday (January 15).

The RKI announced the change as part of the ordinance amending the Covid 19 protective measures exception ordinance and the coronavirus entry ordinance of January 14th.

According to the RKI*, the following requirements must now be met for a valid recovered status:

• The corona infection must have been detected by means of nucleic acid detection, i.e. a PCR test or "another method of nucleic acid amplification technology".

  A positive rapid test is not sufficient.

• The positive corona test* must have been taken at least 28 days ago.

• The acceptance of the positive corona test must not have been more than 90 days ago.

The RKI has adjusted the duration of the recovered status.

(Iconic image) © Peter Kneffel/dpa

After corona infection: STIKO recommends vaccination

As part of the basic immunization, the STIKO (Standing Vaccination Committee) recommends a corona vaccination* for those who have recovered.

"Unvaccinated, immune-healthy people from the age of 12 and 5 to 11-year-old children with previous illnesses who have undergone a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection" are therefore recommended "vaccination at least three months after the illness", writes the RKI.

New quarantine rules* have also been in effect in Bavaria since Saturday.

Due to the high corona numbers, laboratories are reaching their limits with the PCR tests.

A prioritization* is in the room.

While Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach warns of a mutated Delta variant in autumn, virologist Christian Drosten gives an optimistic forecast.