Omicron subvariant BA.5 accounts for "majority of evidence" - RKI reports renewed doubling

Created: 06/17/2022Updated: 06/17/2022 09:36

By: Patrick Huljina

The corona numbers in Germany are increasing again – experts see a summer wave.

One reason: the spread of the omicron subvariant BA.5.

Berlin – “Unfortunately, the summer wave has become a reality,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) this week.

The number of infections with the corona virus has been rising again for some time.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) gave the seven-day incidence on Thursday (June 16) as 480.0.

The day before, the value of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants and week was 472.4 (previous week: 276.9; previous month: 439.2).

However, the incidence does not provide a complete picture of the infection situation.

Experts have been assuming for some time that there will be a large number of cases not recorded by the RKI - mainly because by far not all infected people have a PCR test done.

Only positive PCR tests count in the statistics.

In addition, late registrations or transmission problems can lead to a distortion of individual daily values.

Omicron subvariant BA.5 accounts for "majority of evidence" - RKI reports renewed doubling

One reason for the increase in case numbers is the increase in omicron subvariants.

According to the RKI, the omicron sublines, which have been increasing proportionally for a few weeks, are already dominant.

"The strong growth of BA.4 and BA.5 in particular, but also BA.2.12.1, suggests that these variants currently already make up the majority of the evidence," says the RKI weekly report on Thursday evening (June 16 ).

It is based on evaluations of virus variants.

This data in the report always refers to the week before last: BA.5 made up around 24 percent of the positive samples in a random sample at the time, which again corresponds to around a doubling of the value from the previous week.

BA.4 and BA.2.12.1 were both around four percent.

Because of the greater spread compared to the previously dominant pathogens, these variants could contribute to a renewed increase in the number of infections, it said.

According to the RKI, the proportion of the omicron subvariant BA.5 in Germany has doubled again.

© Uwe Anspach/dpa

Corona: seven-day incidence increases by around a third – RKI expects “increased infection pressure”

In the development of the seven-day incidence, the RKI speaks of a significant increase of around one third for the past week compared to the previous week.

All age groups are affected.

More outbreaks in old people's and nursing homes and in medical treatment facilities have also been recorded again.

"With the further increase in the number of infections, a renewed increase in infection pressure on vulnerable groups of people is to be expected." An RKI map on the development of the infection process shows many districts with increased case numbers, especially in northwest Germany.

Virologist Klaus Stöhr finds Health Minister Lauterbach’s “panic” about the summer wave inappropriate.

The expert Hendrik Streeck is already turning his attention to autumn and winter - and warns of the soccer World Cup as a possible "superspreading event".