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Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and RKI boss Lothar Wieler
Photo: John MacDougall / AFP
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) sees a threat to critical infrastructure if a corona wave is not fought in autumn and winter.
At a press conference, he appealed to the federal states to use the possibilities of the new infection protection law to flatten the next wave.
In addition, Lauterbach confirmed that he would not move away from the obligation to isolate – some countries had demanded that.
"I don't see any sense in fueling the infection process now," said the minister.
The new Infection Protection Act will come into force on October 1st.
It allows countries to mandate mask requirements indoors.
"Corona is not so much in the foreground at the moment," said Lauterbach, other crises are more important.
"I think it's up to us to keep it that way," he added.
"We are clearly at the beginning of an autumn and winter wave." The daily number of cases could soon reach four digits again.
Lauterbach also expects an increase in severe cases.
Lauterbach estimates the number of unreported infections to be three times the official number of cases.
Many people no longer let themselves be tested for PCR.
People in nursing homes in particular need to be protected.
To counteract the wave, Lauterbach relies on four points:
A new vaccination campaign should start in two weeks at the latest.
The delivery of the corona drug Paxlovid, which alleviates the severe course of the disease, is to be intensified.
It has tripled in the past three weeks.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also took the drug during his Covid 19 illness.
In addition, a first version of the pandemic radar went online on the Robert Koch Institute website.
The pandemic data should thus be improved.
According to Lauterbach, the wastewater monitoring is being prepared further.
The application of the countries of the measures of the Infection Protection Act.
RKI boss Lothar Wieler added at the press conference that people with previous illnesses now need “our solidarity”.
The RKI recommends wearing a mask indoors.
"Even in the current situation, we should be aware of the risks we want to take and which ones we can avoid," said Wieler.
A booster vaccination against corona significantly reduces the risk of a severe course.
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