[The Epoch Times, January 14, 2022](The Epoch Times reporter Wang Yixiao reported in Germany) The new variant virus Omicron has further spread in Germany, and the daily increase in infections has reached a new high. However, the number of patients in the intensive care unit has dropped, so experts say there is no need to be overly nervous.
The number of people infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Germany reached 92,223, the first increase since the outbreak began, according to figures released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Friday morning (January 14). Over 90,000 people.
The total number of infected people in Germany currently exceeds 780,000, and the seven-day infection rate has also reached a new high of 470.6, with 286 deaths in 24 hours. The highly contagious variant virus Omicron has replaced Delta as the dominant virus in Germany. In the first calendar week of this year, Omicron has accounted for 73.3%; the previous week, Omicron accounted for 44.3%.
The number of patients being treated in intensive care units fell below 3,000 for the first time since mid-November, according to the German Intensive Care Register.
However, Gerald Gaß, head of the German Hospital Association (DKG), worries that the general wards of hospitals will face a heavy burden given the rising number of infections. “The rising number of infections will inevitably be reflected in hospitals. Physicians in private practice will have to treat their patients to a greater extent on an outpatient basis to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed,” Gass said.
The hospital is also concerned that the Omicron variant will cause more staff absences. At present, the new quarantine rules are being discussed in the Federal Senate in order to maintain the operation of important areas, especially important infrastructure, so as not to shut down due to lack of manpower.
The federal and state governments have agreed that quarantine and isolation periods will be shortened even if the number of infected people rises sharply. Under the agreement, infected persons and close contacts can generally be released from quarantine after seven days by PCR testing or a certified rapid test, which is three days shorter than the previous rule.
Virus experts put forward a new proposal to end the epidemic: vaccinate first and then infect
Given the current infection situation in Germany, virologist Klaus Stöhr has made new proposals for ending the outbreak.
Stoll believes that tracing close contacts no longer makes sense for Germany’s epidemic prevention. “If a significant portion of the population has mild and asymptomatic infections and has antibodies, so-called close contact isolation becomes meaningless,” he said with certainty.
He suggested that the best way to get rid of the epidemic is: “vaccinate first, then get infected.” This way people will have lasting immune protection.
In addition, PCR testing in Germany has also encountered bottlenecks. Laboratories have to assess the priorities of testing.
Andreas Bobrowski, president of the German Association of Laboratory Physicians, said: “The PCR testing laboratories in northern Germany have reached their limits, and it is purely a matter of time until PCR testing is reached nationwide.” Therefore, the Ministry of Health must Suggest action on PCR testing prioritization as soon as possible.
More than 500 German doctors signed an open letter against mandatory vaccination
On the debate on the universal obligation to vaccinate, the longtime head of the World Health Organization’s global influenza programme said: “For Omicron, it is too late for mandatory vaccination this winter.” In winter 2022/2023, mandatory vaccination is “no longer necessary. “.
In Germany, 544 doctors have signed an open letter to the government opposing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations as it prepares a proposal for mandatory vaccinations.
Doctors have warned that mandatory vaccinations will further divide society. They made it clear they were not opposed to vaccination, but warned against overestimating its effectiveness.
The doctors also wrote that the stigma and harassment of people with fears and concerns about vaccines must stop. Signatories warned that further segregation of the population could lead to increased radicalization.
Protests against coronavirus policies and mandatory vaccinations continued to mount, with more than 13,000 people taking to the streets in Hamburg alone on Saturday, according to police.
Responsible editor: Zhou Ren#
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