The number of corona infections is falling almost everywhere in the country. Are these the first signs that the lockdown is having an effect? The infection medicine specialist Professor Helmut Fickenscher from Kiel answers the most important questions.
If you see the 7-day incidence value in Schleswig-Holstein, then the numbers are currently falling. Is that the effects of the lockdown, or how can that be interpreted?
Helmut Fickenscher: Overall, it’s still a bit heterogeneous at the moment. Under normal conditions – excluding Christmas and New Year’s Eve – one will assume that the effect can already be clearly seen. But of course it is overshadowed by the situation that not so many doctors’ offices are open at Christmas and that many people then may not go to the doctor and for diagnostics. But if you look at it over time, data has actually been transmitted on a regular basis. However, it will not be possible to judge until the end of next week whether there are still holiday effects or whether it is a real decline.
Does that mean we can celebrate New Year’s Eve with peace of mind?
Fuck shear: That means we still need the same measures. We need to minimize contact. And we just need the protection of a mouth and nose cover or a mouth and nose mask. Then there is enough reasonable hope that the number of cases will decline. However, it will take a long time until we have reached the lowest levels nationwide.
Are the recently increasing numbers of outbreaks in old people’s and nursing homes the big problems?
Fuck shear: That is currently the most important threat. The pandemic has found its way back to the old people’s homes. The proportion of very old people has become quite considerable and that is currently the very special threat that forces us all to be very disciplined.
How many infections were reported from the independent cities and districts in Schleswig-Holstein – tables and graphics. more
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A certain proportion of the population must be immune so that the Covid pathogen cannot spread further. The WHO and Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn are aiming for a vaccination quota of 60 percent. But why is 60 percent sufficient for Corona, while a vaccination coverage of 95 percent is required for measles?
Fuck shear: The measles virus is extremely contagious and in comparison the Sars-Cov-2 is much milder. But we see, the usual measures are still not enough to keep the virus at bay. So we need as comprehensive a vaccination quota as possible as soon as possible. In my opinion, compulsory vaccination will not help at all. That would only lead to astonishment. You feel patronized there.
Currently, some people are still reluctant, the vaccinations have only been in operation for a few days. Reluctance is also very obvious. But the people who are particularly at risk are currently extremely interested in it. The possible vaccination appointments for Schleswig-Holstein were already booked within a few hours. It will also be a long time before the very old and the other particularly vulnerable people in the first category will be vaccinated. But if we manage to achieve a vaccination rate of at least 60 percent, and hopefully maybe 80 percent, by late autumn of next year, then next winter we may no longer have the current problems.
Is it currently certain that those who have been vaccinated cannot pass the virus on?
Fuck shear: One would suspect or hope so, but actual data are not yet available. That depends on how the situation turns out when many more people – not only across Europe, but worldwide – are vaccinated. And that’s why we will get to know more and more precise information on this in the coming weeks and months.
Can you prevent a third wave?
Fuck shear: You can create third waves or many waves by just going in and out of the lockdown measures. Going out in May and June was completely justified, but in some aspects it was possibly too brave. There was an enormous number of entries due to tourism and also due to the celebration culture. You will have to make a few new thoughts for the coming summer.
We mainly get the third wave when we loosen up too much. And if you go out for economic reasons, as in some other countries, then you need the next lockdown shortly afterwards. Finding an intermediate path is very, very difficult and depends on many unknown factors that cannot be planned.
What is your hope?
Fuck shear: In Schleswig-Holstein, I see the chances that we will get significantly lower case numbers within a clear period of time. But it will take a long time until this is the case nationwide, for example in Saxony. And if the easing measures are now being carried out to different degrees in Germany, it will be, so to speak, the invitation to the virus to come to the north. That can’t be our goal either. And that is why a coordinated procedure is still necessary. Of course, regional differences are important somewhere, but not for the fundamental decision
That corresponds to 0.1 percent of the population. The vaccination campaign starts at different speeds in the countries. More corona news in the live ticker. more
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This topic in the program:
Schleswig-Holstein Magazine | 12/30/2020 | 19:30 o’clock
