Hospitalizations for children quadrupled: “Everyone we know has it”: Omicron wave in New York shows what is now looming everywhere
–
So far, the Omikron wave has not yet hit Germany with full force. But experts are certain that it will turn out that way. A look at New York shows what Germany could then threaten.
–
The first Corona wave hit New York City with full force. There is now even a film (The First Wave) about the drama. Now the Omikron wave has reached the metropolis and the number of infections has exploded within a short time. The situation in New York City shows what threatens Germany if Omikron spreads here too.
Surf tip: You can find all the news about the corona pandemic in the news ticker from FOCUS Online
Omikron in New York City: Cases nearly tripled in a week
On Christmas Eve, authorities reported 15,213 new infections in New York City. The incidence is 1059.07, the seven-day average is 14,034 new cases per day – tendency: brutally increasing. A week earlier, the value was 5085 cases per day. An increase of 2.7 times. According to “Worldometers” there are currently 690,000 active corona cases in New York City – almost every twelfth resident of the city is currently infected.
Many New Yorkers report infections in their surroundings on social media. “Practically everyone we know in New York City has Omikron right now, most of them have been boosted,” writes Nick Andert on Twitter. “They all say the same thing: it’s mild but scary.”
Jo G. wrote on Twitter: “Omikron stole our Christmas too. My son came to NYC especially and we couldn’t even visit him.”
New York City: Omikron now accounts for 92 percent of cases
The “Center For Disease Control And Prevention” shows what part Omikron has in the corona drama in New York City. In the week of December 4th, Omikron’s share of new infections was 2.4 percent. A week later it was already 25 percent, according to the latest data from December 18, Omikron now accounts for 92 percent.
The data shows how quickly the new variant is gaining ground. In Germany, experts expect that Omikron will spread in January and then probably quickly become the predominant variant. Experts therefore criticize the measures taken at the last Prime Minister’s Conference as “too late”.
Rapid increase in hospitalizations for children
Experts are also worried about the hospitalization rate of children. According to NBC, the rate of under-18s who have to go to hospital after an infection has quadrupled since December 5th. Half of those affected are therefore under 5 years old.
“We are alerting New Yorkers to this surge in child hospitalizations so that pediatricians, parents and guardians can take immediate action to protect our youngest New Yorkers,” said New York State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett.
The good news from New York City: The city is currently very far from horror numbers like in spring 2020, when up to 800 people died every day. The seven-day average is currently 19 – but that too is doubling compared to the beginning of the month.
–
The vaccination rate in New York City is similar to that in Germany
The vaccination rate in the metropolis can be easily compared with Germany. Of the 8.3 million inhabitants, 72 percent are fully vaccinated. In Germany it is 70.8 percent. But: 6.6 million New Yorkers (80 percent) received the first dose and should get the second dose (relatively) soon. In Germany, 73.8 percent received the first dose. 30 percent of vaccinated New Yorkers have also received a booster vaccination, in Germany it is just under 36 percent of those vaccinated.
The fallout from the wave of omicons that is currently sweeping across New York City can be felt across the city. Long queues form at the test centers. “I’ve had a weekly test here for the past one and a half or two months, and I’ve never waited longer than five minutes,” a local resident toldCBS“Now what?” I’m waiting almost an hour and a half after being here twice yesterday and not getting a test. “
Exams only digital, New Year’s Eve party in Times Square with restrictions, flights are canceled
University exams have been moved to digital, numerous Broadway musicals have canceled their shows. The legendary New Year’s Eve party in the world-famous Times Square will take place with 15,000 instead of the usual 58,000 guests – if it is not completely canceled. In addition, only vaccinated people have access, there is a mask requirement.
If you wanted to fly to your family over Christmas, you needed luck – and a lot of patience. But many were also unlucky: Because of the explosive increase in the number of omicron cases, many planes were canceled over the holidays. “NBC“reports on a case of a father who wanted to fly from New York with his daughter to Senegal. When they arrived at the airport, however, they found that the flight had been canceled – not enough staff.” Nobody could organize anything, nobody has anything explains, “complains the father.
–
The Omikron wave will also reach Germany – hope for a milder course
Experts no longer doubt that Omikron will also be predominant in Germany. It’s all about when – and how. According to the weekly report of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the variant has already occurred in all German federal states.
Results from South Africa, where the variant was first discovered, and Great Britain, where it is already spreading, suggest that omicron gradients are somewhat milder than with the delta variant. “Previous reporting data on symptoms indicate a rather mild course in infected people with a full vaccination or booster vaccination,” writes the RKI in the weekly report.
According to the institute, information on the symptoms was provided for more than 1200 Omicron cases. Mostly none or mild symptoms were mentioned, the most common colds, coughs and sore throats. So far, according to the RKI weekly report, 28 Covid sufferers, in whom Omikron has been detected, have come to the hospital, and one person has demonstrably died.
Lauterbach: “What we know for sure is that we need a booster vaccination”
In order to mitigate the consequences of an omicron wave, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach calls for more booster vaccinations. “What we know for sure is that we need a booster vaccination,” said the SPD politician on the radio station “WDR 2”. Presumably a fourth vaccination will also be necessary “later in the year”.
–
SPD extends lead over Union – only one coalition partner loses
More corona news
With a forged vaccination certificate to the valid certificate: Such attempts at fraud are repeatedly found in Bavaria’s pharmacies. But not only people from the Free State try to deceive there.
19 days of intensive care, only ten percent lung function and now an oxygen station: In dramatic words, a Twitter user traces his ordeal after his Covid infection over several tweets. He said he was not vaccinated. Because he wanted to wait for a dead vaccine.
The symptoms in corona patients who have become infected with the Omikron variant differ, according to initial data, from those in Delta. For example, the sense of smell should continue to exist. There are also two other, so far unknown symptoms that could be a sign of omicron.
–
SPD extends lead over Union – only one coalition partner loses
to
–
/i/2004847732.png?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)