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Christian Drosten (archive image)
Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
The virologist Christian Drosten has warned of an escalation of the corona situation.
If no tougher measures were to be taken now, in view of the experience in England with a similarly high vaccination rate, but significantly more natural infections and deaths, Germany would also face up to 100,000 more deaths, Drosten said in his podcast on NDR Info.
"That's a conservative estimate."
Drosten spoke out in favor of considering new contact restrictions.
You have to control the infection activity again.
Testing alone will not bring the situation under control.
“The tests are set up as an emergency brake to break the wave.
But in any case they will not be «.
The waves to date have shown that a change in behavior in the general population contributes to a decrease in the incidence.
"If people change their behavior and take the threat more seriously, it has an effect." That is why clear communication is essential.
"We have a real emergency situation," said Drosten.
Situation worse than a year ago
In Drosten's view, the situation is worse than it was a year ago.
The delta variant also quickly turns vaccinated people into carriers.
At the same time, these people moved relatively freely in society.
"This is how the virus comes to the unvaccinated and they stand out as serious cases."
Booster vaccinations are necessary for everyone in Germany.
"The vaccine was not made specifically for the Delta variant, but for a virus that no longer circulates today."
If you manage to boost half of the population, this would significantly reduce the transmission rate.
In the medium and long term, the way out of the pandemic is clear: "We have to close the vaccination gaps." In view of full intensive care units, however, one could not wait for a triple vaccinated population, said Drosten.
He is expecting a very stressful winter "with new, let's say calmly: shutdown measures".
Measures such as 3G or even 2G are probably not enough to reduce the number of infections enough in view of the delta variant.
sol / dpa
