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Corona test in Germany (archive image)
Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP
In Germany there is currently intense debate about booster vaccinations - and reference is made again and again to the risks of a fourth corona wave in autumn and winter.
This discussion could become even more acute in view of the virus numbers now available.
The current number of new infections reported daily has exceeded the high of the third wave of infections in spring.
On April 22, the value was 29,518, now the health authorities in Germany reported 33,949 new corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day.
This is evident from the numbers that reflect the status of the RKI dashboard as of 3:50 a.m. on Thursday.
A week ago, the value was 28,037 infections.
The nationwide seven-day incidence was therefore 154.5.
The previous day the value was 146.6, a week ago it was 130.2.
It was initially unclear to what extent the All Saints holiday on Monday played a role in the development of the numbers in five federal states.
According to the new information, 165 deaths were recorded across Germany within 24 hours.
A week ago there were 126 deaths.
The RKI has counted 4,672,368 detected infections with Sars-CoV-2 since the beginning of the pandemic.
The actual total number is likely to be significantly higher, as many infections are not detected.
The number of corona patients admitted to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days - the most important parameter for a possible tightening of the corona restrictions - was given by the RKI on Wednesday at 3.62 (Tuesday: 3.29).
With the indicator it must be taken into account that hospital admissions are sometimes reported with delay.
A nationwide threshold value from when the situation can be viewed critically is not provided for the incidence of hospitalization, among other things because of large regional differences.
The previous high was around 15.5 around Christmas time.
The RKI stated the number of those who had recovered at 4,328,400.
The number of people who died with or with a proven infection with Sars-CoV-2 rose to 96,192.
Dispute over vaccinations in the care industry
In addition to the question of booster vaccinations, there is still another debate, with a view to the increasing loads in hospitals and medical practices, among other things. According to a newspaper, the chairman of the general practitioner association, Ulrich Weigeldt, calls for a mandatory vaccination for all employees in the care sector. »No unvaccinated person is allowed to have contact with such a vulnerable group, either professionally or as a visitor. This applies to retirement and nursing homes as well as intensive care units, ”Weigeldt told the“ Bild ”newspaper, according to the preliminary report.
In contrast, the German Nursing Council supports plans to require unvaccinated workers in nursing homes to test, but rejects a compulsory vaccination.
"We think mandatory tests are absolutely right, because we naturally have to build protection for the residents," said President Christine Vogler of the dpa news agency.
Large professional associations in the care industry have come together in the care council.
The Nursing Council President spoke out against a "compulsory vaccination".
Instead, there is still a lot of room for improvement in advertising for the vaccination.
"Where are the brochures, where are the posters, the spots before the news?" According to Vogler, the facilities should also provide their employees with better information and create incentives to vaccinate.
"An additional day of vacation or something similar would be possible."
jok / dpa