The number of corona infections is currently falling. Nevertheless, virologist Christian Drosten does not believe in an infection-free summer.
Frankfurt – In Germany, the number of corona infections is currently falling. Nevertheless, virologist Christian Drosten does not believe in a corona-free summer. He assumes that one could then also become infected with the omicron variant.
The current vaccination progress is not yet sufficient. In addition, the infection activity through Omikron is still high. “That’s why I’m assuming that there won’t be an infection-free summer,” said the scientist from the Berlin Charité on Tuesday (March 1st, 2022) in the “Coronavirus Update” podcast on NDR-Info.
Virologist Christian Drosten does not believe in corona-free summers: continue to wear masks
The omicron wave, for example, rose steeply in South Africa in midsummer. Drosten is not assuming an “untamed” wave in Germany, as the dpa reported, but “one will also be able to get infected with this omicron virus in the summer”.
That’s why it’s important to wear a mask indoors, even in summer. Above all, wearing FFP2 masks is “the most efficient measure of all”.
No corona-free summer according to Drosten: winter wave is imminent
As soon as the summer is over and the temperatures drop again, the virologist also assumes a winter wave again. According to his hopes, this will not be accompanied by a serious burden of illness in the population, but the danger of large-scale work absences will still be there, according to the dpa. “The pandemic is not only over when the vaccination has cut off the severity of the disease, but also when this high level of transmissibility has ended as a result of certain modifications in the population,” said Drosten.
It was one of the last podcast episodes with Christian Drosten and his colleague Ciesek. The two will be heard for the last time on March 29, 2022, as journalist Norbert Grundei announced on Twitter. According to Drosten, there is only a greater need for information regarding an update vaccination. In special episodes, the podcast will initially continue with other experts.
With the Omikron variant, however, Drosten also sees hopes that the pandemic will end soon. In order to be able to declare the endemic phase, however, a broad vaccination protection is necessary. (smü/dpa)
