Munich is gearing up for the Corona Oktoberfest: "We know about other folk festivals..."

Created: 09/14/2022, 07:05

By Phillip Plesch

At the Munich Oktoberfest, experts expect the incidence of corona to increase.

But the Wiesn could also be a new source of infection for another virus.

Munich – The corona situation in Munich seems to be calming down.

For Monday (September 12), the Robert Koch Institute reported 1,015 new corona cases and eight more deaths.

The seven-day incidence yesterday was 175.7.

"In particular, the number of seriously ill Covid 19 patients in the clinics is low and is not increasing," says Munich corona expert Dr.

Christopher Spinner.

A snapshot, because the infectiologist and pandemic officer of the university hospital on the right bank of the Isar suspects a change as a result of the Wiesn.

"The Oktoberfest will very likely lead to an increase in the incidence of infection," says Dr.

Spinner of our newspaper.

"We know from other folk festivals that an increase of two to three times can be expected." The good news: In connection with other Bavarian folk festivals, no relevant increase in severe Covid 19 courses has been reported so far.

Spinner expects that the immune competence in the population has increased significantly in the meantime due to vaccination and recovery.

After a forced two-year break, the Oktoberfest is finally back: "O'zapft is!" - Corona rules, dates, road closures: All information about the Oktoberfest 2022 in Munich.

Oktoberfest 2022: City advertises vaccinations in front of Oktoberfest

In order to keep the consequences of Corona as low as possible, the city, as well as the federal and state governments, are promoting vaccinations and, in particular, to refresh the vaccination protection with a booster vaccination.

In addition to an advertising campaign in public places, all old people's and nursing homes as well as all old people's and service centers were contacted by telephone by the health department to draw their attention to the mobile vaccination teams.

The Oktoberfest before the forced Corona break.

Experts expect the number of infections to increase at the Wiesn 2022. (Archive photo) © Achim Frank Schmidt

The Office for Extraordinary Events keeps an eye on the developments at the Wiesn.

It was formed in spring 2020 because of Covid-19 and continues to exist.

"In addition, there is a coordination group during the Oktoberfest that assesses the situation at the Oktoberfest on a daily basis, independently of Corona," the health department said when asked.

Necessary decisions are made here in close cooperation with the two so-called hospital coordinators for Munich.

Their powers are limited: "Official requirements such as access restrictions and mandatory hygiene concepts are not possible under the current legal situation." Visitors to the Oktoberfest must nevertheless expect certain admission rules at the entrance to the Wiesn.

Wave of infection at the Wiesn: In addition to corona, influenza is also on the radar

And that not only plays a role for the corona virus - but also for the flu.

"The influenza activity is low in the current report from the Influenza Working Group at the RKI.

Nevertheless, with a view to the Oktoberfest, vaccination can be useful, especially for people at risk,” says Spinner.

The health department does not rule out that the seasonal wave of influenza in 2022/23 will be correspondingly more severe than in 2021/22, i.e. with high numbers of cases and then a considerable burden on the medical care systems.

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According to the health department, the background to the greater risk of flu is the increasing relaxation of anti-corona measures and the lack of natural boosts due to the failure of the past two flu seasons.

In addition to vaccination, it helps to stick to the well-known AHA rules.