The utilization of intensive care beds is currently increasing. According to experts, this development will drag on over the coming weeks – and could result in a lockdown.
Berlin – The corona situation in Germany is already tense. However, the federal government expects a further tightening in the coming weeks.
This is shown in a confidential status report on the pandemic from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Health, which is available to the Handelsblatt. The government’s assessment relates in particular to the utilization of intensive care units in hospitals and clinics. The Corona crisis team of both ministries cites the state of Thuringia as an example, where the utilization of intensive care beds could more than triple from the beginning of December, according to the Handelsblatt in the report.
Corona report warns of intensive care bed occupancy
The experts, including those from the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Institute for Population Research, relate the increasing trend in intensive care bed occupancy to all federal states. It is said that a rising trend is expected everywhere. “A Covid-19-related occupancy rate of more than 25 percent […] can move into critical areas, since intensive care beds are also required for the treatment of other diseases,” the report continues.
Just recently, a group of scientists published a document that warns of the further development of the pandemic. It states, among other things, that a 2G strategy is not enough to break the fourth corona wave – in other words: to massively reduce the number of cases.
Corona lockdown: “Emergency circuit breaker” as an extreme measure
The researchers therefore recommend considering a two-week lockdown in Germany. They refer to this measure as an “emergency circuit breaker”. However, this is only an adequate measure if the booster campaign does not provide sufficient relief in the health system. The scientists include the virologist Sandra Ciesek, the physicist Viola Priesemann and the epidemiologist Kai Nagel.
The federal states are currently reacting to the infection process in Germany with different corona measures, in many cases with the 2G rule, which largely excludes unvaccinated people from public life: An overview of what now applies in the individual federal states.
The federal and state governments want to advise on new corona measures on Thursday. Among other things, there is a compulsory vaccination for certain occupational groups and a nationwide 2G regulation. (do)
