Corona infections are on the rise again in the fall. Other respiratory illnesses are also becoming more common. RKI calls for vigilance to protect vulnerable groups.
According to estimates from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), acute respiratory diseases such as Covid-19 are currently affecting more people in Germany simultaneously than in previous years. The weekly Covid-19 report released Thursday evening states:
The report also refers in part to other respiratory diseases. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and RKI boss Lothar Wieler want to comment on the fall corona situation in Berlin on Friday.
The incidence has increased significantly
The RKI weekly report estimates 500,000 to 1.2 million people infected with corona in the past week. RKI gave the nationwide seven-day incidence on Friday morning at 466.0. This is a significant increase from the previous day when the number of new corona infections per 100,000 people per week was 409.9. (previous week: 294.7; previous month: 247.1).
However, this information only provides a very incomplete picture of the number of infections.
Experts have assumed for some time that there will be a large number of cases not recorded by the RKI – mainly because not all infected people are PCR tested. Only positive PCR tests are counted in the statistics.
Plus more colds
For example, in addition to Sars-CoV-2, rhinoviruses are among the predominant viruses leading to visits to the family doctor, according to the weekly report. These pathogens trigger the common cold. The RKI notes that there has not yet been a significant increase in serious respiratory diseases – that is, hospitalization – compared to last week.
As people are again indoors again in the fall and further increases in disease should be expected, the RKI reminds: “Regular correct ventilation (shock ventilation) with high air exchange and low heat loss” is crucial to reducing the risk of infection. The background is that it is easier to become infected indoors than outdoors, through droplets that patients emit when sneezing or coughing.
BA.5 is the dominant variant
Overall, the RKI cautioned to continue to follow infection avoidance recommendations to protect vulnerable groups. As in previous weeks, according to a random sample, almost all corona infections in this country can be traced to the omicron subline BA.5.
According to the RKI, the BA.2.75 bottom line under observation due to some mutations has so far accounted for a very small proportion: less than one percent, according to the latest data from the previous week.
Source: ZDF
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