New Corona report by the RKI: Numbers are falling - except in old people's and nursing homes

Created: 05/08/2022 14:22

By: Anna Lorenz

In principle, the current weekly report from the RKI would give reason to be happy: overall, the relevant parameters are falling.

However, cases of new corona infections are increasing in medical treatment facilities and above all in old people’s and nursing homes.

(Iconic image) © Sina Schuldt/dpa

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) published the current weekly report on the corona situation in Germany.

The document evokes mixed feelings.

Berlin – The weekly report, which the RKI publishes in the latest version every Thursday, has long shown a trend: The omicron subline BA.5, which has been dominant since mid-June, is still on a monopoly course – it now accounts for 92 percent of all infections with the corona virus.

Read here how the experts of the leading biomedical research institution of the German federal government currently assess the pandemic situation in Germany.

Current weekly report from the RKI: Numbers are falling - only not for vulnerable groups

The number of doctor visits for acute respiratory diseases fell by 100,000 cases, falling to 1 million.

According to the RKI, the fact that “these values ​​are significantly higher than in previous years at this time of year” is probably due to the coexistence of SARS-CoV-2 with different rhinoviruses and parainfluenza viruses.

Although corona is usually the cause of the disease in adults, the estimated cases of Covid-infected people with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection have fallen to 600,000 to 1.3 million - in the previous week there were still 800,000 to 1.5 million estimated cases.  

In the video: The current corona infection numbers for Germany

The nationwide seven-day incidence of all reported cases of infection, which do not necessarily have to have symptoms, also fell in all federal states and age groups.

In all federal states and all age groups.

The strongest decline was observed in the previous week among those between 5 and 19 years old (31% to 39%).

In medical treatment facilities, as well as old people's and nursing homes, the number of infections rose, as did the number of newly reported, associated deaths.

This means that vulnerable groups in particular are not participating in the downward trend that has been recorded.

RKI weekly report: Current corona infections almost entirely due to omicron subline BA.5

The number of those who had to be treated in hospital because of Corona fell with 2,700 new hospitalizations;

Here, too, the group aged 80 and over is the most represented group with 1772 cases.

444 deaths were reported, which roughly corresponds to the level of the previous week.

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People over the age of 80 are the most affected.

According to the institute, the absolute number of people treated in an intensive care unit with a Covid 19 diagnosis reported in the DIVI intensive care register fell again in week 30 for the first time since week 22/2022 and was around 1,395 intensive care patients on August 3 the level of week 28.”

RKI: Weekly report continues to recommend corona vaccination

"If symptoms of a new respiratory disease occur, such as a runny nose, sore throat or cough, it is still strongly recommended - regardless of the vaccination status and also in the case of a negative Covid-19 antigen rapid test result - to avoid contacts and, if necessary, to contact the general practitioner." , the RKI continues.

Not only the vaccination, which is further advised and reference is made to the recommendations of the Stiko, but also individual behavior is essential for the further course of the pandemic.

According to the weekly report, the “recommendations for avoiding infection” should “continue to be strictly observed”.

Overall, the RKI still rates the risk to the health of the population from Corona as “high”.

(askl)