Corona in Germany: RKI reports incidence record again – experts criticize planned easing

In view of the renewed increase in corona numbers in Germany, criticism of the planned easing is increasing. The news ticker.

Update from March 16, 8.40 a.m .: The so-called facility-related vaccination requirement has applied to employees in nursing professions since Wednesday (March 16). They had until Tuesday to submit proof of vaccination or recovery – or a certificate that they cannot be vaccinated. Unvaccinated workers in the health sector could now face consequences. The authorities may impose fines, activity and entry bans.

However, the implementation of the partial vaccination requirement is handled differently in the federal states. In some parts of Germany, the health authorities should check carefully whether people in homes and hospitals can still be cared for if unvaccinated employees are banned from entering. Furthermore, a lower level of corona occupational safety is to apply in the future. To this end, the cabinet wanted to pass an ordinance from the Ministry of Social Affairs on Wednesday. According to this, employers should be able to largely determine for themselves how they assess the risk and which requirements should still apply in the company. On Thursday, applications for general compulsory vaccination should also be discussed in the Bundestag for the first time.

Corona in Germany: Incidence back to record level

First report: Berlin – the number of infections with the corona virus * in Germany continues to rise. On Wednesday (March 16) from 1 p.m., the Bundestag will deal with the traffic light coalition’s plans for future corona measures. From March 20, a draft drawn up by the federal government provides for only a few general protective rules with mask and test specifications in facilities for groups at risk. However, more extensive restrictions should be possible for regional “hotspots”. In view of the increasing number of infections, there are calls for more general protection rules. Doctors and patient advocates in particular have criticized the current plans.

The draft is to be decided on this Friday. On Thursday, the prime ministers want to discuss the situation with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Most federal states want to continue to apply most of the conditions – initially until the end of a transitional period on April 2nd. This is also due to the fact that the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)* recently reported daily highs again.

So also this Wednesday. At 1607.1, the nationwide seven-day incidence* is at a new all-time high. For comparison: the day before the value was 1585.4. A week ago, the nationwide incidence was 1319.0 (previous month: 1401.0). The health authorities in Germany reported a total of 262,593 new corona infections* to the RKI within one day.

Planned relaxation of the corona virus: criticism from patient advocates and doctors

Massive easing despite daily record values? That doesn’t sit well with some experts. The head of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, Eugen Brysch, accused the traffic light coalition of a “political oath of disclosure”. Against their better knowledge, MPs from the SPD and Greens wanted to agree to an amendment to the law that offered little protection against the pandemic *, he told the dpa. “The smallest coalition partner must not simply dictate vital decisions. Otherwise the tail will wag the dog,” he criticized with a view to the FDP, which had primarily pushed for the easing.

Criticism of the government draft also came from doctors. The President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, criticized the fact that only examples are given of when the federal states can adopt stricter measures. This will “inevitably lead to a nationwide patchwork of different regional regulations. This unnecessarily unsettles the population,” complained Reinhardt in the Rheinische Post .

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Corona loosening in Germany: Experts call for masks to be maintained

The chairman of the German Hospital Society, Gerald Gass, told the newspapers of the Funke media group : “The planned hotspot regulation can be an effective and targeted instrument. However, there must be clarity and plannability for this regulation, also which criteria the legislator presents here. As examples he named local public transport, retail or places with vulnerable groups.

The head of the Marburger Bund doctors’ union, Susanne Johna, also called for masks to continue to be prescribed in retail and indoor areas. “Particularly in view of the increasing incidences, it would be reasonable to maintain this effective measure until the infection process actually weakens due to the seasonal effect that occurs,” she told the Augsburger Allgemeine . (ph with dpa) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

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