The BA sub-variant is currently prevalent in Germany. 2 of the “Omicron” variant, but the percentage of the sub-variant BA.5 is increasing, said the Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach
Planning for a possible new wave of coronavirus in the autumn is being launched by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who, however, considers the “medium” scenario of a “not very dangerous variant” to be the most prevalent, while awaiting the “adapted” vaccines in September.
The BA sub-variant is currently prevalent in Germany. 2 of the “Omicron” variant, but the percentage of the sub-variant BA.5 is increasing, said Mr. Lauterbach.
“Even if it proves to be more contagious than the NEs. 1 and NE. 2, this is not a particularly dangerous variant “, assured the Minister of Health and Professor of Infectious Diseases.
The Council of Experts advising the federal government on pandemic management called on Lauterbach on Wednesday to prepare quickly for the fall and winter and presented three possible scenarios. The Minister of Health stated that at the moment he considers the medium scenario to be more prevalent, with the less serious consequences, “but it cannot be ruled out that there will be new variants, more contagious and more dangerous”, he stressed.
As part of the preparations, Karl Lauterbach noted that it was particularly important to have a sufficient number of new vaccines adapted to the variants, and said that Moderna had “promising data” and that the government was in contact with BioNTech. “I’m sure there will be very well-adapted vaccines,” he said, adding that “everyone’s goal is the best possible outcome in terms of protection with the least possible restriction of freedoms.”
The picture presented by the Austrian Minister of Health Johannes Rauch is similar, talking about new waves of the pandemic not only this year, but also in the future. “But we can do a lot to reduce cases and alleviate the health system. “The method we choose is vaccination,” Rauch said. and end up in the hospital or in the intensive care unit “.
Mr. Rauch also predicted that the cases will increase again in the summer, but clarified that a lockdown is not visible at the moment, while the main goal is to keep the schools open. Mandatory use of a protective mask will return in the fall, “because it is the mildest measure,” he added.
