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A rapid corona test does not reveal which variant of the virus it is
Photo: Sebastian Gollnow / picture alliance / dpa
It is only a matter of time when Omikron will become the predominant coronavirus variant in Germany, experts agree.
The number of cases in which the variant has been clearly identified increases accordingly.
As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Tuesday, there are now 10,443 cases for the first time, a five-digit total for this virus variant.
That corresponds to an increase of 3218 cases compared to the previous day.
However, the actual number of Omicron cases is likely to be significantly higher.
This is because the RKI only counts cases in which detection was carried out by means of whole genome sequencing or a variant-specific PCR test confirmed an infection with Omikron.
In the weekly report from 23.12.
the institute reported that Omikron had a share of 0.6 percent in the sample from calendar week 48; in the following week (December 6 to 12) it was 1.4 percent.
This corresponded to almost 2400 cases in week 48 and a good 4900 cases in week 49.
It is expected that Omikron will soon be the predominant variant in Germany as well as in other countries.
In Denmark, for example, it already is.
The Robert Koch Institute had pointed out that not all new corona cases will be recorded over the holidays because many people are on vacation and numerous medical practices are closed.
At the same time, late registrations can already be made after the Christmas holidays.
wbr / AFP