Timo Lenzen / DER SPIEGEL
Dear readers,
For the first few days after its discovery, the most disturbing thing about the Omicron variant was its uncertainty.
Is it really more contagious?
Can it prevail, does the spread ebb or does it remain regional, like several other mutants before it?
Is she deadlier?
And can she bypass vaccination protection?
Bad news of rapid spread in South Africa (which, however, had no correct informative value due to special external circumstances) alternated with glimmers of hope such as reports of mild courses of omicron infections in South Africa (which, however, were not correctly informative because the number of cases was too low).
This week brought at least some clarity. The hope that the new mutant would remain a regional phenomenon was not fulfilled. Denmark and Great Britain, the busiest sequencers and thus master detectives tracking down new variants, are seeing a rapid expansion of Omikron. It is certain that the variant will also spread in other European countries and not least in Germany. We just don't notice because we are not sequencing in a similarly massive manner (read more about the spread of the omicron variant here)
Further certainty (albeit not a good one) this week brought the first analyzes by researchers with regard to the escape potential of Omikron. In the laboratory, they had brought the blood of vaccinated and convalescents into contact with cultured viruses of the new type. The result: the neutralization of the variant by antibodies has decreased significantly compared to the delta line. So people are more prone to breakthrough infections with the new mutant.
The Frankfurt virologist Sandra Ciesek, for example, presented the first laboratory samples that confirm Omikron's strong immune evasion.
The virus was neutralized significantly worse in the laboratory tests of vaccines than was the case with Delta.
The decrease in antibody activity was reduced 37-fold compared to Delta.
Other specialist groups come to a similar conclusion.
Ciesek had examined various vaccines, in addition to the Biontech agent, the neutralizing effect after two doses of Moderna and after cross-vaccination with AstraZeneca and Biontech.
(Read more about the effectiveness of vaccines against Omikron here).
After all, the researchers found that after a booster vaccination, the antibody protection is better again.
And, that too, a glimmer of hope: Even with only two vaccinations and an antibody level that has already fallen, there is probably still protection against a severe course with Omikron.
Either way, boosting is now the order of the day.
In January, experts expect Omikron to become dominant in Germany.
Until then, Delta is our problem.
The third syringe is also the best way to counteract this.
The new SPIEGEL, now digital and tomorrow at the kiosk
"The silence of the shepherds: The unpunished crimes in the Diocese of Trier," is the title of the new SPIEGEL. You will receive the digital version from now on and from Saturday at the kiosk.
The most important developments to Omikron
Biontech founder Şahin on the Omikron variant: "We should be offering a booster after just three months"
The corona mutation calls for a new vaccination strategy.
Biontech founder Uğur Şahin explains why Germany needs to boost faster - and then even need a fourth injection.
Problematic despite reference to a mild course of the disease: the omicron paradox
The omicron variant is spreading rapidly in South Africa and Great Britain.
At the same time, however, initial data indicate that the disease is comparatively mild.
What does this mean for the further course of the pandemic?
Immunization against the coronavirus: This is why the third vaccination is now so important
Health Minister Lauterbach repeatedly emphasizes how important the third vaccination is to protect against the Omikron variant.
Other experts also advise not to wait with boosting.
Coronavirus: How quickly does Omikron become dominant?
The number of people infected with Omikron is rapidly increasing in the UK, and so is Denmark.
Some scientists see indications that the new variant could displace Delta.
Data from Germany and South Africa: How the vaccinations against Omikron work
First studies confirm the fears: The vaccines against the new Omikron variant apparently sometimes have a significantly worse effect.
Under certain circumstances, however, there can still be good protection.
The results at a glance.
Germany has a new chief physician
Lauterbach on compulsory vaccination: »Nobody has
to go to
jail«
How does he want to fight the pandemic?
The new Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on the "two things that can lead us out of the crisis".
And he reveals in SPIEGEL why he will continue to go on talk shows.
New Federal Minister of Health: Lauterbach announces vaccine inventory
How much vaccine is there in Germany, where is it stored?
The new Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told SPIEGEL that he wanted to get an overview this week of how many of the 30 million doses "can really be inoculated".
Intensive care physician on new health minister: "Finally a doctor is in office"
The intensive care
physician
Christian Karagiannidis has high hopes for the new health minister.
He explains what needs to happen now to protect the clinics - and what role Omikron plays in this.
Future Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach: He is a connoisseur, but is he also an expert?
For a long time there was a lot of talk in the SPD against a health minister, Karl Lauterbach.
Now Olaf Scholz has decided in favor of him - and the newcomer has to prove himself as a crisis manager beyond TV and Twitter.
Now it's the turn of the little ones
Covid-19: Stiko recommends vaccination for younger children with previous illnesses
Parents have been hoping for it for weeks: Stiko has now adjusted the Corona vaccination recommendation for children between five and eleven years with previous illnesses.
Healthy children can also be vaccinated if they wish.
After the Stiko decision: should I have my child vaccinated?
Stiko recommends the corona vaccination for children from the age of five with previous illnesses, but healthy children can also be vaccinated.
What you should know about side effects and long-term risks.
Covid-19 in worldwide numbers
Confirmed Cases: 268,632,121
Deaths: 5,289,900
Germany: 6,423,520 confirmed patients, 104,996 deaths
Sources: CSSE / Johns Hopkins University, as of December 10, 2021, 10:21 am;
Robert Koch Institute, as of December 10, 2021, 3.36 a.m.
Research news
New mutation discovered: researchers find "camouflaged"
Omicron
version
PCR tests reliably detect normal corona infections.
However, that may not be enough to identify a new Omicron variant as such.
Corona reporting: Scientists defend themselves against »Bild« newspaper
An alliance of scientists accuses the »Bild« newspaper of targeted defamation - and calls for more objectivity in the corona pandemic.
What else was important
Example Joshua Kimmich: "High performance not possible" - intensive care physician advises athletes to vaccinate
Bayern star Kimmich is not yet ready for action after his Covid illness - and is not alone in the Bundesliga.
A vaccination helps athletes in particular, says intensive care physician Christian Karagiannidis.
Prime Minister's
Conference
: Countries want to take action against "lateral thinkers" and
corona deniers
with a new concept
Torchlight marches, revolutionary fantasies and violence: opponents of the corona measures are increasingly radicalizing themselves online.
Now, according to SPIEGEL information, the country leaders have agreed on a new way of dealing with the deniers.
New figures from the Federal Statistical Office: High excess mortality in the second corona wave
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been more deaths in Germany than was to be expected given the aging society.
All previous waves have led to excess mortality - especially at the end of last year.
Sometimes large differences in quality: Which rapid tests are reliable?
Almost 600 rapid tests are on the market in Germany.
Many do not meet the minimum criteria.
There is currently no independent review.
What to look for in self-tests.
Have a nice weekend
Yours Michail Hengstenberg