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Germany Registers 248,838 New Corona Infections, Charlottenburg is New Hotspot

The Robert Koch Institute releases record Corona infection numbers every day. Is this the right moment to call for an end to the Corona restrictions? Apparently, certain associations believe it is.

Berlin, February 4th, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) — There seem to be two worlds. In one of them, the number of new Corona infections reaches new all-time highs every single day. In the other, trade syndicates want to dump the Corona rules. In Hamburg, the Tourism Association just said it wanted an end to the restrictions which caused a lot of damage to many businesses it represents. Promoters of cultural events insist on opening steps as well. Not a day goes by without demands of this kind.

No Opening Strategy

While associations and businesses are busy calling for a return to normality, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is even busier listing record infection numbers. In the past 24 hours, 248,838 persons in Germany got infected with Corona. This adds 12,000 cases to the old record number the RKI released yesterday. Germany’s Seven Day Incidence just reached yet another record level too. It stands at 1,349.5. The country’s experts believe the peak of the ongoing Omicron wave might be reached between mid-February and the end of the month. If this is accurate, it will take at least ten days until the numbers start decreasing.

In Berlin, the Bundestag will have to decide what to do soon. According to the Infection Protection Act, the measures that were put in place to curb Corona will expire on March 19th, unless the parliament prolongs them by another three months. No decision has been taken. The government believes it would be premature to lift any restrictions or to even think about it. The MPs of the three government parties SPD, the Greens and FDP do not have a reopening strategy yet.

Novavax for Vaccination Centers

Germany’s Permanent Vaccination Commission just took some decisions. It is about to recommend a new vaccine offered by Novavax, for persons from 18 years of age, except pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding their children. Novavax will supposedly be available from February 21st, 2022. A final vote on the matter in the Commission is pending. According to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the new vaccine will be delivered to the federal states only, meaning it will be offered at official vaccination centers, but not in doctor’s offices.

Corona vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 with pre-existing conditions were recommended too. So were additional booster vaccinations (fourth shots) for persons from 70 years of age, those who live in care facilities, people who work there and staffers at medical facilities. Persons whose health is considered vulnerable are supposed to receive their second booster shots at least three months after the first one. For medical staffers, the minimum time period between those shots is six months.

Omicrom Subtype Spreads

In the meantime, the Omicron subtype BA.2, which is supposed to be about twice as contagious as the already very contagious first type, is beginning to spread in Germany. Two weeks ago, its share was about 5 percent. By now, it has probably increased, but there are no data that would prove this assumption.

Finding even more bad news is easy. A glance at Berlin suffices. In the German capital, the Incidence increased again, to 1,803.4. No other federal state looks quite as bad. Berlin’s Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district now is Germany’s Corona hotspot, with an Incidence level of 3,552.2 (no typo). Even Neukölln, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Lichtenberg look better, with Incidences just above 2,000.

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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