The seriousness of the situation also becomes clear in the face of a new, sad high: The health authorities have sent the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 952 new deaths within one day. The previous maximum number was 598. Since the pandemic began, 23,427 people have died of or with COVID-19 in German clinics, nursing homes and households.
The number of new infections is also cause for concern – the most recent daily value is 27,728 newly recognized infections. That is around 7,000 more than last Wednesday and only a good 2,000 less than the most recent high from last Friday. Experience has shown that the numbers increase towards the end of the week, because the test and reporting delay that occurred over the weekend is gradually compensated for.
In order to iron out this statistical distortion, the RKI calculates the so-called seven-day incidence, which indicates all new infections during this period per 100,000 inhabitants. It rose again significantly on Wednesday to 179.8. The declared political goal is to bring this value below 50 in all cities and districts so that the health authorities have the capacity to trace the contacts of the sick again. In addition, this would relieve the clinics that are currently working at the limit.
Second “lockdown” begins
That is why the tough restrictions that the federal and state governments had already decided on the weekend come into force across Germany. From this Wednesday on, the corresponding regulations in the federal states will apply until January 10th.
On Tuesday, the last possible day for visits to the hairdresser for the time being, people were queuing for a haircut
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Retail stores have to close, exceptions only apply to stores that meet daily needs. Schools remain closed or the compulsory attendance is suspended. Hairdressers and other service providers in the personal care sector are also no longer allowed to open.
Strict rules for private meetings
For the time being, private meetings are still limited to your own household and one other household. A maximum of five people can come together. Children up to 14 years are not counted. A special rule applies only from December 24th to 26th. “In the closest family circle, meetings with 4 people who go beyond their own household (plus children up to 14 years of age) can be possible, even if this means more than two households or 5 people over 14 years of age,” writes the federal government on its website.
As always, the exact design is a matter for the federal states, which regulate this accordingly in their respective Corona ordinances. In general: the schools are closed or the compulsory attendance is suspended. Emergency care is ensured and so-called distance learning is offered. Daycare centers are also closed. Emergency care is also possible there. In retail, there are exceptions for grocery stores, pharmacies and post offices.
Make no illusions
In view of the rapidly increasing number of infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the 16 federal states agreed on these drastic steps on Sunday.
Health Minister Spahn wants maximum transparency when vaccinating, everything should be made known
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On January 5th, the federal government and the federal states want to take stock and advise on the next route. Merkel recently emphasized that January and February would be really tough pandemic months again. “We mustn’t have any illusions about that” – said the Chancellor.
“Trust is the most important thing”
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn emphasized that after a corona vaccination, all citizens should have the opportunity to quickly report possible effects and side effects via app. “We’ll make it very, very transparent,” said Spahn. This applies to the approval of vaccines, but also to the time thereafter. “Trust is the most important thing in vaccination.”
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Tuesday that it intends to present its opinion on the vaccine from the Mainz company BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer on December 21 – that is, eight days earlier than before. The EU Commission then has to give its formal approval. This is a formality and could also be done within a day. This would pave the way for mass vaccinations to begin in all EU member states.
ehl / haz / sti (dpa, afp)
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