Germany: Omicron Becomes Dominant Corona Variant, 92,223 New Infections

In Germany, Omicron now is the main Corona mutation. It just overtook the Delta variant, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The RKI also released record infection numbers yet again.

Berlin, January 14th, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) — In its weekly report, the RKI in Berlin confirmed an expected development: The Omicron mutation of the Coronavirus overtook the Delta variant. According to the reported data from the federal states, 73 percent of all cases that were tested for different variants are Omicron infections. A week ago, Omicron’s share was 51 percent. Germany does not test that many samples for variants, but the tendency is clear.

Numerous All-Time Highs

This explains the exploding infection numbers. On three consecutive days, Germany has registered sad records. On Wednesday there were more than 80,000 new Coronavirus cases, on Thursday the number exceeded 81,000. Today, there are 92,223 new infections and a record Seven Day Incidence level of 470.6. Experts believe the numbers will keep on increasing. Omicron is far more contagious than Delta. It leads to less severe disease progressions, but infects people more rapidly. Vaccinated and even ‘boostered’ persons can be infected, but are far less likely to end up in intensive care or to die from COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals.

In the city states of Bremen and Berlin, the Incidences increased further as well. For Bremen, the level the RKI reported on Friday morning was 1,427.2. In Berlin, where 7,238 new Corona infections were counted since Thursday, it is 949.8. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, one of the German capital’s districts, now has an Incidence of 1,520.7. Neukölln stands at 1,373.6. Mitte and Reinickendorf are above 1,000 as well, while Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and Pankow have Incidences between 900 and 1,000. All Incidences and infection numbers mentioned are all-time highs, meaning even the number of all-time highs is an all-time high.

Bundestag Changes Quarantine Rule

In the meantime, the new quarantine rules were confirmed by the Berlin Bundestag on Thursday night. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the First Ministers from the capitals of Germany’s federal states had decided to shorten the quarantine period for contact persons and infected people. It will be ten days instead of fourteen. ‘Boostered’ persons who were in contact with infected individuals, and people who were vaccinated or who recovered in the past three months will not have to go into quarantine at all.

After seven days, the quarantine can be ended for persons who test negative. Either PCR or antigen tests will do. Affected nurses and doctors need to use PCR tests, since those are still more secure. Today, the Bundesrat is supposed to confirm the new regulation. It is expected to pass without issues.

Unconventional Approach

The city state of Berlin will put in place the new quarantine rules today, according to Health Senator Ulrike Gote. This means the Senate will not wait until its next session, but apply the new rule retroactively on Tuesday. This is an unconventional approach. Usually, new Corona rules apply once they were announced in Berlin’s official bulletin which is being printed on Fridays.

From Saturday, January 15th, 2022, more new rules apply: FFP2 standard masks will be required in Berlin’s public transport. In restaurants, cafés and pubs, ‘2G Plus’ rules are being put in place. This means that persons with two Corona vaccinations will need negative Corona tests to enter places of this kind. Individuals with booster vaccinations may enter without tests, while unvaccinated people will have to stay away.

Looking for the daily Corona update for Germany? Find it here.
ALL CORONA CHRONOLOGIES:
Corona Chronology for Germany, 2022 (from Dec. 22nd, 2021)
Corona Chronology for Germany, 2021
Corona Chronology for Germany, 2020

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