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HEALTH

Authorities reveal what could happen after Germany’s coronavirus lockdown as Merkel’s second test returns negative

Authorities have revealed what the next phase could be after Germany comes out of lockdown. It came as Chancellor Angela Merkel's second coronavirus test came back negative.

Published: 25 March 2020 17:48 CET
Updated: 26 March 2020 09:19 CET
Authorities reveal what could happen after Germany's coronavirus lockdown as Merkel's second test returns negative
Merkel speaking about new restrictions on Sunday evening. Photo: DPA

Young people who are not part of 'at risk' groups could be allowed outside again first after Germany eases its contact restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus, according to Merkel's chief of staff Helge Braun.

Currently, no-one knows exactly how long the so-called contact restrictions, which have seen non-essential shops shut and gatherings of more than two people banned, will continue.

The new measures began on Monday March 23rd and are in place initially for two weeks, but are likely to be extended.

Experts hope the restrictions will help to “flatten the curve” or slow down the pandemic by reducing the number of COVID-19 infections at one time, and therefore reducing the burden on the health system.

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On Wednesday Braun gave a glimpse of what the first step towards easing the restrictions in Germany might look like.

Among other questions on the student app Jodel, Braun was asked how things would continue after the coronavirus situation in Germany eases.

“Young people who do not belong to the risk groups would be allowed to go out on the streets again,” he said in a video.

At the same time, however, authorities would have to “consistently test, find out who is infected and trace their contacts”, Braun said. Comparable measures are currently in place in Vietnam and Singapore, where the spread of the virus has been well contained.

Merkel test negative

Meanwhile, the second coronavirus test carried out on Merkel has come back negative, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Merkel has been in self-isolation since Sunday after she had been vaccinated by a doctor who was shortly afterwards diagnosed with COVID-19.

READ ALSO: Bundestag approves historic aid package as coronavirus cases in Germany rise

Her first test at the beginning of the week was also negative.

However, she will continue to work from home and self-isolate until at least the beginning of next week.

“The chancellor continues to work from home quarantine and will be tested again early next week,” a government spokesperson said on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Merkel goes into quarantine after meeting doctor with coronavirus

It came as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health said it was not yet able to tell whether the measures taken in Germany had been effective against the spread of coronavirus.

As of Wednesday morning there were more than 34,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany, with more than 160 deaths.

Shops increase hygiene and safety

The Rossmann drugstore chain is increasing its precautionary and hygiene measures in its stores throughout Germany in order to limit the risk of coronavirus infections. 

Checkouts are to be equipped with Plexiglass protection against possible droplet infections and separate “distance controllers”.

The photo terminals will be temporarily closed, with the service continuing online.

Toilets will no longer be available to customers, the same applies to changing tables and coffee machines.

“For hygienic reasons, all testers will be removed from the sales rooms”, the company from added. “Likewise, all tester stations for electric toothbrushes and shavers/hair clippers will be closed.”

READ ALSO: What's the latest on coronavirus in Germany and what do I need to know?


 

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HEALTH

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

Published: 20 September 2023 12:05 CEST
Updated: 20 September 2023 22:22 CEST
Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI,  the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent. 

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI. 

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI. 

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests. 

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well. 

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

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