Berlin, Dec 23, (dpa/GNA) – German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, expects a large wave of the more contagious coronavirus variant Omicron in Germany at the turn of the year.
His warning came after the first death from the variant was recorded in Germany. The person who died was aged between 60 and 79, according to the nation’s disease control body.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that the number of Omicron cases had risen by a quarter in a day, up 810 to 3,198.
However, the nationwide seven-day incidence rate of Covid-19 generally is decreasing. According to RKI data, the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week on Thursday was 280.3. Wednesday’s value was 289.0 and a week ago it was 340.1.
“We don’t have a big, fast wave yet. That will change at the turn of the year and in the first week of January,” Lauterbach told broadcaster WDR.
The 58-year-old, recently installed in the role as part of the new German coalition government, also said he expected more Omicron-specific jabs to be needed later next year after the third booster vaccinations.
“Personally, I would assume a fourth vaccination will be necessary,” he said, adding this has not yet been scientifically proven.
“What we know for sure is that we need the booster vaccinations” as they can prevent “70 to 80 per cent of symptomatic cases of disease,” the minister stressed, adding that it was impossible to tell if many more rounds of jabs would be needed.
“That will depend on how long the booster vaccinations work. We cannot yet say anything about repeat vaccinations,” Lauterbach said.
RKI data showed that of the 3,198 new Omicron cases, hospitalization occurred 48 times and 54 were reinfections of someone who had previously had Covid-19.
The minister, who is a trained epidemiologist, could not predict what the pandemic will look like in a year’s time.
“Nobody knows. That would be looking into a crystal ball. But I assume that new variants will form. No one can say whether they will become more dangerous,” he said.
The health ministers of the German states have asked the federal government to procure sufficient vaccines for the booster campaign.
On Tuesday, Germany’s Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko) said booster vaccinations could be offered after just three months.
The RKI said around 1,041,000 people were vaccinated in Germany on Wednesday, with 847,000 jabs being third booster vaccinations. The record was set on December 15 with 1.6 million doses.
Nationwide, the rate of those boosted is 35 per cent.
The percentage of citizens who have received the full basic protection with two shots is 70.7 per cent, equating to 81.4 per cent among adults.
The impact of restrictions on Christmas is set to be limited with new rules coming into force after the festive holiday. But New Year’s Eve, a big event in Germany when people traditionally head into the streets and set off fireworks, is set to be very different.
Berlin has banned gatherings and fireworks in certain areas at the turn of the year.
New mayor Franziska Giffey said the rules would impact 53 well-known party areas. However, professional firework displays are exempt in certain circumstances.
GNA