According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the health authorities reported 318,387 new infections with the corona virus in 24 hours. A week ago there were 294,931 cases recorded. The RKI gave the seven-day incidence as 1752 – this is also a high. For comparison: the day before the value was 1734.
Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the RKI data. One reason is the limited capacity of health authorities, for example, and contacts are often only tracked to a limited extent.
The hospitalization rate is also increasing
According to the new information, 300 deaths were recorded across Germany within 24 hours. A week ago there were 278 deaths. The RKI last gave the number of corona-infected patients per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days on Wednesday as 7.23 – on Tuesday the value was 7.08.
The number of people who have died from or involved a proven infection with SARS-COV-2 rose to 127,822.
Schools are currently reporting a large number of teacher absences
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In view of the high number of infections, the Verdi services union has spoken out against lifting the mask requirement in retail. “We are critical of the lifting of the mask requirement in the current situation given the high number of infections, especially for everything that happens in public spaces, including trade,” said Stefanie Nutzberger, member of the Verdi federal board responsible for trade, to the Funke newspapers -media group.
“Teacher failure hits schools hard”
The education unions are also warning that the schools are reaching their limits in view of the corona pandemic and the current high level of infection. “The corona-related absence of teachers is currently hitting schools hard,” said Anja Bensinger-Stolze, board member of the Education and Science Union (GEW), the editorial network Germany. “The number of sick leave will continue to rise in the coming weeks because the corona protection measures are to be largely dropped or have already been cashed in,” she warned. This is a wrong political decision.
The US pharmaceutical company Moderna reports success with its vaccine for young children (archive image)
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Meanwhile, the US pharmaceutical company Moderna has reported positive results from tests of its corona vaccine in children between the ages of six months and six years. Two doses of 25 micrograms produced a similarly good immune response in this age group as two doses of 100 micrograms in patients between the ages of 18 and 25, the company said. Moderna therefore wants to apply to the US agency FDA and the EU drug agency EMA for approval of its corona vaccine for small children in the coming weeks.
Booster vaccination for young children is under investigation
However, protection against infection with the corona virus was relatively low; the study took place during the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant. According to this, the effectiveness of the vaccine in children between six months and two years was 43.7 percent; in the age group between two and six years it was 37.5 percent. According to Moderna, these are similar values to adults. A booster vaccination for small children is being examined.
nob / kle (dpa, afp)
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