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Because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany has tightened its risk assessment. For twice vaccinated and convalescents, the risk of infection is now considered “high,” the RKI announced on Twitter.
For unvaccinated, it remains “very high”. For vaccinated with booster vaccination (booster), however, the Institute estimates the risk as moderate.
Overall, the health risk to the population is assessed as “very high,” the institute writes in its revised risk assessment. It warns against a sudden increase in the number of cases.
Rapid spread of omicron
“The reason for this is the emergence and rapid spread of the Omikron variant, which, according to current knowledge (from other countries), spreads significantly faster and more effectively than the previous virus variants,” the RKI writes.
The current development is “very worrying”. It is to be feared that further spread of Omikron will lead to a further increase in severe illnesses and deaths and that the intensive care treatment capacities available throughout Germany will be exceeded.
Appeal for action
Epidemiologist Hajo Zeeb also warned of the force of a possible Omicron wave. “The numbers of new infections and people in hospital will probably exceed anything we have seen so far,” the expert from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology in Bremen told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
Initial data from the United Kingdom would show “that the disease severity in the Omicron variant is similar to Delta.” Especially in January, a high hospitalization rate must be expected in Germany. In view of this, Zeeb called for swift action. “We need tougher measures before the New Year.” Above all, contact restrictions would be “extremely sensible and effective.”
-source: orf.at/picture:pixabay.com
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