Despite the decline in incidence in Bavaria: Expert expects "critical weeks" – increase in hospitalizations

The corona incidence in the Free State is declining slightly. For the Munich infectiologist Clemens Wendtner no reason to be careless. The news ticker.

Update from February 13, 7.10 a.m .: The corona incidence in the Free State has fallen again somewhat and is 1798.3 on Sunday. The Eichstätt district remains the leader in Germany – and by a large margin – with 3773.4. But Bavarian districts also took third place (Straubing-Bogen, 2686.1), four (Regen, 2681.3), five (Neu-Ulm, 2595.2) and sixth (Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, 2582.6). Find.

Even if the daily reported incidence figures are slightly declining, the chief physician of infectiology at the Munich Clinic Schwabing and corona expert Clemens Wendtner does not yet see the Free State over the mountain. “I’m skeptical that we in Bavaria have already reached the peak of the omicron wave. I don’t expect that for the next few weeks,” Wendtner told the German Press Agency.

Corona in Bavaria: No trend reversal in the numbers – expert Wendtner warns of critical weeks

Wendtner does not yet consider the current slight decline in numbers to be a trend reversal. “I would attribute that to delays in reporting and the limited capacity of PCR tests,” he said. The State Office for Health and Food Safety has also been clearly pointing out the uncertainty of the numbers for some time.

Wendtner sees Bayern still facing “critical weeks”. “In terms of hospitalizations, you can see a significant increase – both in our clinic and in the figures from the LGL,” emphasized Wendtner. According to official statistics, it was more than 20 percent compared to the previous week and there was “already a slight increase” in the occupied intensive care beds. And even if the peak of the new infections is reached, the infection process is not over yet: “It usually takes two to three weeks before the patients come to us.”

The expert therefore warns: “There is no point in starting a massive opening debate. That does not lead to enthusiasm in the clinics because we are the ones who have to absorb it in the end.”

First report from February 12th

Munich – At the beginning of the week it was said that Bavaria wanted to suspend the facility-related compulsory vaccination, which will apply from mid-March. Then it was rowed back over the course of the week. One does not question the obligation to vaccinate as such, said Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU). The only problem is the way it is to be implemented. However, this zigzag course is not well received by the people.

After Söder advance: Dispute about the introduction of facility-related compulsory vaccination

Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) announced on Monday at a press conference after the CSU board meeting that he wanted to suspend the partial vaccination requirement in March – which was also decided by voters from the Union. It cannot be implemented in its current form, and the federal government must improve it. Health Minister Holetschek then softened tones on Thursday. The state government will “move within the framework of law and order” and does not question the obligation to vaccinate as such. The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe also contributed to the discourse. In an urgent procedure, the green light was given for the partial vaccination requirement.

However, calls had already been made that Bavaria could not defy applicable law. On the other hand, Söder’s initiative also found supporters. The Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU), for example, even called for a nationwide suspension of partial vaccination. So the topic is dividing opinions. This has now been confirmed by a survey by the opinion research institute Civey on behalf of the Augsburger Allgemeine .

Survey: Majority of Germans in favor of implementing partial vaccination

5002 people were asked: “How do you rate the fact that Bavaria will probably only introduce the institution-related corona vaccination later?” The result was clear. 54 percent of those surveyed thought Söder’s plan was wrong. Only 38 percent followed the head of state and his possible suspension of partial vaccination. The rest was undecided.

In Bavaria*, however, the situation was completely different. Here it became apparent that the population in the Free State is of divided opinion. 48 percent think it is right to suspend facility-related compulsory vaccination. 45 percent of respondents are against it.

If you look at the survey results in terms of party affiliation, supporters of the FDP and AfD in particular support Söder’s initiative. In the Union, on the other hand, opinions are divided. As expected, the SPD and the Greens reject the suspension. Older respondents (over 65) don’t think much of the CSU leader’s zigzag course. 64 percent are against a suspension. Among the 18-29 year olds, however, it is only 41 percent.

Corona in Bavaria: Infection numbers are falling – incidence is increasing

While politicians are still arguing about compulsory vaccination – whether facility-related or general – the Robert Koch Institute* is delivering facts again on Saturday. Accordingly, the number of corona infections fell slightly to 40,677 cases. The incidence in the Free State is 1823.7. The day before, 45,868 people had contracted the virus. The incidence was given as 1811.4.

The Eichstätt district is still the frontrunner in incidence in both Germany and Bavaria with 3853. According to the district office, the high number is due to a high number of late registrations. “The Eichstätt health department – like in many places – is overwhelmed with the recording of new infections,” writes the Donaukurier . The actual incidence would probably be at a comparable value in the neighboring counties – i.e. in the mid-2000s.

Eichstätt is followed by the districts of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen (2586.7) and Regen (2584.3). Only the districts of Regensburg (928.6) and Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad-Windsheim (639.9) have less than 1,000. The state capital Munich is just over 2000 corona infections with 2006.3. (tel) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubrics: © Munich Clinic/Munich Clinic Schwabing/dpa