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Concerned GGD doctor: ‘Third wave is coming faster than we think’

The number of positive tests per week has been increasing in Groningen for another two weeks. Vonk also notes that the virus is present throughout the province.

Stadskanaal stood out for a while due to a number of outbreaks. Due to an outbreak among asylum seekers in Ter Apel, the municipality of Westerwolde also stood out. ‘We test a lot there, so we find it too. But you also see it in other municipalities and that is not positive. ‘

Behavior important, vaccine not yet

Vonk is afraid that all reports about upcoming vaccines will have an undesirable effect. ‘They are not conducive to wearing face masks and keeping your distance. I’m afraid that’s how our human mind works. ‘

We go out into the cold, sit inside more and closer together. Then it can go quickly

Machiel Vonk – GGD doctor

That would be bad news, he says, because our behavior in the coming weeks will be decisive. Vonk is certainly not hopeful. “Yes, we have to prepare for vaccinations, but also for a third wave.”

We make the third wave ourselves

That third wave is coming sooner than we think, Vonk fears. The R-value is also above 1 in Groningen, which means that every person in Groningen with corona infects more than one other person. The result: a lightning-fast spread of the virus.

‘We go out into the cold, sit inside more and closer together. With these numbers, little is needed to get the R further above 1. It can go quickly, we really shouldn’t count ourselves rich. ‘

Christmas spirit is dangerous

Then Vonk is not even talking about the influence of Christmas and the New Year. He expects the third wave in December, but it is really certain that it will come after the holidays. ‘We are going to sit around the Christmas tree with more people or visit family in an institution.

When you know people, you think you know they cannot infect you. But then are false arguments

Machiel Vonk – GGD doctor

‘Or we give a hug that one time,’ because it is Christmas ‘and’ now it is allowed. We look for excuses to do what we want to do. But that is really too dangerous. ‘

People trust each other too much

Vonk thinks that we are more likely to go wrong with the measures for people we know. This would also play a role in schools and nursing homes, where employees also infect each other, according to Vonk.

‘Everyone pays a lot of attention to the students and residents, but the real threat is sitting together at the coffee table. When you know people, you trust them. You think you know they cannot infect you. But then are false arguments. ‘

Bright spot in dark days

Is there nothing positive to report? Groningen is doing well compared to the rest of the Netherlands, isn’t it? ‘Yes, that means that we can keep the IC and nursing wards in hospitals running. And that we can help out for other parts of the country. ‘

‘It means that there is less disease among the population. But again, that can change just like that. ‘

Also read:
Wessel Gansfort in City closed for week ‘to allay unrest’ about corona infections
Too busy in Groningen city center: ‘We are worried’
Corona infections in Ter Apel appear to be ‘random cases’

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