The number of new infections is skyrocketing! 5443 new corona cases were reported in Berlin on Thursday! The 7-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was also higher than ever at 416.9 – a record!
So far there have been 1738 Omicron infections in Berlin. “The virus circulates freely in the population. The incidence might double per week, “says the virologist and epidemiologist Klaus Stöhr (62) to the BZ. In one week, the 7-day incidence might be over 800.
“The numbers are going through the roof,” warns Neukölln’s medical officer, Dr. Nicolai Savaskan (48). He predicts: “We will probably crack the 1000 mark in the course of the next week.”
Expert Stöhr, long-time research coordinator for the SARS virus at the World Health Organization, nevertheless advises not to panic: “Studies show that Omikron might be four times as contagious as the Delta variant, but only a quarter of those infected need to be Clinics are treated. “
And: “After being admitted, they rarely need intensive care measures.”
The hospitalization and ITS rates therefore remain roughly constant and only increase very slightly. 636 Covid-19 patients were hospitalized in Berlin on Thursday, 202 sick people were in intensive care units.
According to Stöhr, studies from other countries show that the majority of Omicron infections are mild or asymptomatic.
Nonetheless, staff shortages in the critical infrastructure due to high numbers of infections and quarantines are to be expected. “Of course there will be bottlenecks,” said Stöhr. A collapse of supply structures, for example food deliveries or garbage disposal, as in parts of England, is a long way off.
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Stöhr warns: “The vaccinations will have the greatest influence on the course of the pandemic up to the end of winter: they have to progress faster!”
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