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RKI boss Lothar Wieler: "We are currently seeing clear signs of a trend reversal"

2021-02-26T09:58:35.294Z


The vaccination campaigns are showing their first effects and the number of infections among the very old is falling. Nevertheless, RKI boss Lothar Wieler warns: The number of infections is increasing, especially among young people, and a third wave is looming.


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Lothar Wieler (left) and Jens Spahn at the federal press conference on February 19

Photo: Filip Singer / Getty Images

According to Health Minister Jens Spahn, the vaccination campaign is showing initial success.

"The risk of developing corona has significantly reduced for our very old people," he said on Friday at the federal press conference.

In some federal states, the majority of people over 80 have already been vaccinated.

However, it is foreseeable that the countries will reach their capacity limits when administering the ordered vaccine.

"There is still too much vaccine in the refrigerator, and that too has to pick up speed," says Spahn.

The federal government is working on a regulation that will allow all doctors to administer the corona vaccination in their practices.

Vaccinations are still primarily carried out by mobile vaccination teams, for example on-site in old people's homes or in vaccination centers.

The head of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, is also seeing the first effects, which are probably due to the vaccinations.

"The number of cases in the over 80s group is falling," he said.

At the same time, however, he also warned of the current situation.

"Unfortunately, we have been seeing for a few days that the overall number of cases is not falling any further, they are stagnating," he said.

The incidence is increasing, especially in younger people.

It can be assumed that the worrying variants played an important role.

Warning of too high hopes for easing

"B.1.1.7 spreads quickly, is significantly more contagious and dangerous - for all age groups," says Wieler.

»We are currently seeing clear signs of a trend reversal.

It is therefore important that we implement the measures now.

Otherwise we will steer into another, third wave. "

Wieler appealed to the population to stay at home as soon as the first symptoms appeared, to call a doctor's office and ask for a PCR test.

"We all want our everyday life back," said Wieler.

"We can only achieve this if we permanently reduce the number of cases."

Spahn and Wieler warned against too high hopes of easing the federal-state talks next Wednesday.

There is "a need" to step out of lockdown, said Spahn.

However, this must be proceeded "cautiously" - and a comprehensive strategy is required: "Caution, vaccination, testing are three important components for our path."

Finally: 10,000 new infections within one day

The health authorities in Germany recently reported almost 10,000 new infections to the RKI within one day.

In addition, 394 other deaths were documented within 24 hours.

Exactly one week ago the number of new infections was 9113, at this point in time 508 deaths were reported.

The figures suggest that the infection rate in Germany is stabilizing after a downward trend lasting several weeks.

According to the RKI, the seven-day incidence nationwide on Friday morning was 62.6 - and thus slightly higher than the previous day (61.7).

However, four weeks ago, on January 29, the seven-day incidence throughout Germany still reached 94.4.

The previous high was recorded on December 22nd at 197.6.

Icon: The mirror

irb / dpa

Source: spiegel

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