Test turnaround in the Corona autumn: Lauterbach is negotiating with Lindner - but is already announcing cuts 

Created: 06/24/2022, 09:31

By: Stephanie Munk

Lauterbach and the health ministers of the federal states are discussing the Corona autumn.

There are three different scenarios for the cold season.

• Lauterbach on citizen tests: The Minister of Health believes that it is “absolutely necessary” to continue with the citizen tests beyond the summer.

• From harmless to dramatic: Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has presented three possible scenarios for the Corona autumn in Germany.

Update from June 23, 1:06 p.m .:

Lauterbach is now speaking.

"We are facing a very difficult autumn," said the Minister of Health.

Unfortunately, one must expect a very severe corona wave.

There are also funding gaps for health care.

“A very difficult time lies ahead of us.

The most important thing that can be achieved is that we agree on working together," says Lauterbach.

"I think that's a very important result that shouldn't be underestimated," explains the health minister, referring to the good cooperation between the individual countries and parties at the past health ministers' conference.

"The 7-point plan met with a lot of approval here," says Lauterbach with regard to his proposal and sees the result as a good basis for a joint strategy in autumn.

“We have very good medicines that we use far too little.

A medication plan must ensure that these can be used more effectively," explains Lauterbach about the autumn strategy.

Lauterbach on citizen tests: "Absolutely necessary" - countries should participate

"My impression was that we were very close to each other," says Lauterbach again with a view to the consultations.

"On 1.7.

we will get the material and then the FDP will also deal with this report, ”said the health minister with reference to the next meeting of the health ministers on July 1st.

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (M, SPD) gives an interview before the Conference of Health Ministers.

© Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/dpa

Now to the topic of tests: “In my opinion, the citizen tests are absolutely necessary.

Here, the Bundestag has made a stipulation that the federal states participate to 50 percent.

I will make a suggestion here that these tests do not fail.

That's why I'm also negotiating with Finance Minister Lindner," explains Lauterbach, emphasizing again: "These tests are very valuable."

“I have to point out that we no longer do every citizen test because there has been a lot of abuse here.

The quality control is expandable.

We will definitely take action here," said Lauterbach.

However, random tests without suspected infections should no longer be funded.

These would too often lead to false-positive results.

The plans have yet to be finalized.

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Post-GMK press conference: Health ministers meet July 1 for fall plan

Update from June 23, 1:01 p.m .:

It starts.

Karl Lauterbach stepped in front of the microphone on time.

The Minister of Health of Saxony-Anhalt, Petra Grimm-Benne, speaks first.

"The most important application was the lead application on how we can digitally upgrade our healthcare system so that we are prepared to fight the next corona pandemic," introduces the GMK chairwoman.

With a view to the Corona situation in the fall, they first want to wait for the report on the measure, which will be published on June 30th.

is expected.

The countries have now agreed to 1.7.

convene a special GMK to evaluate the results of the report.

Update from June 23, 12:57 p.m .:

It will start in a few minutes.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is scheduled to step in front of the microphones at 1 p.m.

From harmless to dramatic: Lauterbach's three scenarios for the Corona autumn

First report from June 23:

Berlin - It almost seemed to have disappeared from people's minds, but the corona virus is still there - and recently the incidence has even been rising again.

Worries about autumn are all the more serious.

It is expected that the corona numbers will then really go up again.

But: It is unclear how much the number of infections will increase and which coronavirus variants will then circulate.

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) apparently wants to be prepared for anything.

In a paper called "Corona Autumn Strategy", which is available to the AFP news agency, the Ministry of Health describes three possible scenarios for the Corona autumn in Germany.

On Wednesday and Thursday (June 22/23), the health ministers will discuss a strategy against it.

There will be a press conference at 1 p.m.

Corona: Three scenarios for autumn - from harmless to dramatic

According to the

, which also has the paper,

these

• Best scenario:

  In Germany, a variant of the coronavirus is circulating that is more harmless than the currently dominant omicron variant.

  Only the protection of risk groups is necessary.

• Medium-heavy scenario:

  The dominant virus variant in autumn causes illness in a similar way to the current omicron variant.

  The incidence and number of absenteeism increases throughout the fall and winter.

  The intensive care units are “moderately” loaded.

  In order to reduce absences from work, nationwide measures such as compulsory masks, distance and regional contact restrictions would be necessary.

• Worst case scenario:

  A variant of the coronavirus emerges that is more dangerous than Omicron and is also very contagious.

  The health system is heavily burdened and measures such as the obligation to wear masks and the requirement to keep distance should last until spring 2023.

Corona autumn: Lauterbach has three scenarios - one is the most likely

Lauterbach's ministry considers the medium-heavy scenario to be the most likely.

"Based on these considerations, scenario 2 appears to be the most likely corona autumn scenario," it says.

"This scenario could extend over a long period of time." Without protective measures, 1,500 corona deaths per week in Germany can be assumed, it is said.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has important decisions about Corona ahead of him.

(Archive image) © Michael Kappeler/dpa

In order to cope with the forecast increase in the number of corona cases in autumn, Lauterbach has developed a strategy with seven points - you can read all the details about Lauterbach's seven-point plan here.

Lauterbach plans to promote vaccination again, especially among children and the elderly.

Not all citizens should be tested free of charge, but only people with symptoms, small children or people with many contacts, for example before big events.

The treatment for corona disease should be improved, and people in care facilities should be better protected.

In addition, hospitals should report their corona data more reliably.

Corona: The aim of Lauterbach's strategy - avoiding the dead and seriously ill

The goal for autumn should be to reduce the number of corona deaths and serious illnesses.

In addition, the intensive care units should not be overloaded and the critical infrastructure should be kept running despite the large number of people infected with corona.

The key points should be decided before the summer break, Lauterbach said on Thursday (June 23) before the health ministers discussed the matter.

Work is already underway on six points of his seven-point plan, and negotiations on the subject of compulsory masks will begin when a corresponding expert report is available.

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Corona: Off for free tests for everyone - Lauterbach defends

Lauterbach also defended his plan to restrict free corona citizen tests.

They should be used in a targeted manner, i.e. where they bring the greatest benefit.

Lauterbach cited the high cost of the tests and many false positive tests as justification.

“The quality should be increased, the tests should be used more sensibly, the costs should remain within limits.

I think we'll just get more out of the tests then," said the minister.

Meanwhile, the infection curve continues to point upwards.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) gave the nationwide seven-day incidence on Thursday morning (June 23) at 532.9.