Corona in Germany: uncertainty factor - according to the RKI, the omicron subtype BA.2 is increasing significantly

Created: 02/18/2022, 10:35 am

By: Patrick Huljina

The corona numbers in Germany are falling slightly, easing is pending.

But the next danger may be lurking in omicron subtype BA.2.

The news ticker.

• The corona incidence in Germany has recently fallen slightly.

• The proportion of the omicron subtype BA.2 has increased significantly.

• This news ticker is updated regularly.

Berlin - "Our data indicate that the peak of the omicron wave has passed," said RKI Vice President Lars Schaade at the federal press conference on Friday (February 18) in Berlin.

In fact, the Corona* numbers have fallen again.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) gave the nationwide seven-day incidence at 1371.7.

For comparison: the day before the value was 1385.1.

A week ago, the incidence was 1472.2 (previous month: 553.2).

The health authorities in Germany reported 220,048 new corona infections to the RKI within one day.

Corona numbers in Germany are falling slightly – Lauterbach warns: “Not yet in safe waters”

However, the numbers are of limited value at the moment.

Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the RKI data.

Test capacities and health authorities are therefore at the limit in many places, and contacts are only tracked to a limited extent.

In addition, the number of people who no longer have their infection* confirmed by a PCR test is likely to increase – the infection is therefore not included in the official statistics.

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach, despite the slightly falling Corona * numbers, warned of further caution and warned of additional easing.

The peak of the Omicron wave has passed, said the SPD politician on Friday in Berlin.

However, a renewed increase in the number of cases cannot be ruled out with certainty at this point in time.

The development is “not really in safe waters yet”.

Lauterbach referred to the still high proportion of unvaccinated people over 60 at risk and the new, probably more contagious omicron sub-variant BA.2.

Corona in Germany: omicron subtype BA.2 is increasing significantly

The omicron subtype BA.2* has recently increased significantly in Germany.

The proportion of corona cases examined in a sample has recently risen to 14.9 percent, the RKI stated in its weekly report on Thursday evening.

This information refers to the week up to February 6th – for the week before, the RKI gives the share as 10.4 percent.

There is not yet enough data to be able to assess the characteristics of the subtype with regard to the severity of the disease more precisely.

However, due to the progressive spread and easier transferability of BA.2, "a slower decrease or a renewed increase in the number of cases cannot be ruled out," it says.

The proportion of the omicron subtype BA.2 in Germany continues to increase.

(Iconic image) © Henning Kaiser/dpa

Corona loosening: "The maximum we can afford"

The planned relaxation of the Corona * measures and an associated increase in contacts could therefore also contribute to such a development.

Experts have recently increasingly pointed to BA.2 as a possible uncertainty factor.

In countries like Denmark, the subtype has already spread rapidly.

This is therefore also possible in Germany and, according to many, could ensure that the omicron wave is extended.

With a view to the federal and state resolutions for the extensive elimination of the drastic everyday restrictions by March 20, Health Minister Lauterbach also emphasized that this was not the end of all corona measures.

It's about a "slow exit".

He therefore appeals to all prime ministers not to go beyond that.

It is important to implement the agreed steps like clockwork.

"That's the maximum we can afford to relax."