The number of corona cases in Germany continues to rise sharply. The third autumn wave is already showing its force in clinics. Will the FFP2 mask requirement come back?
Berlin – “Covid is not over” – (in German: Covid is not over yet) – the sentence used with a hashtag always makes it into the trends in social networks. The emphasis is on again and again. The number of coronavirus infections is increasing, but even if half of the office is flat, few people are interested in Corona at the moment. Covid-19 has lost its terror for many. Thanks to vaccines and treatment options. Long Covid only seems to be an issue for those affected. The alarm bells are already ringing in many clinics. There is already a state of emergency in Bavaria. Nurses write fire letters. An overview of the number of corona cases from Thursday (October 13, 2022):
Corona case numbers in Germany: RKI reports incidence of 793.8 (as of October 13, 2022)
| Corona case numbers in Germany | October 13, 2022 | October 12, 2022 |
| Corona incidence | 793.8 | 799.9 |
| Coronavirus new infections | 145,213 | 136,748 |
| Corona deaths | 176 | 199 |
| hospitalization incidence | 12.2 cases per 100,000 population | 11.8 cases per 100,000 population |
| Covid intensive care patients according to DIVI | 1675 – 464 of them ventilated | 1675 – 464 of them ventilated |
The number of corona cases only provides an incomplete picture of the infections in Germany. The daily case numbers fluctuate. Nevertheless, they clearly show that many people in Germany are becoming infected with Corona – even if no PCR test is carried out.
The nationwide 7-day incidence is 793.8 (previous day: 799.9). This emerges from the data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Thursday morning. 145,213 new corona infections and 176 deaths have been reported to the RKI within the past 24 hours.
Lauterbach: Countries should reintroduce FFP-2 mask requirements
“We don’t want to stir up panic, we don’t want to patronize the countries either,” said Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach on Thursday in the ARD morning magazine. But, at some point it should be pointed out that it would be better to introduce the obligation to wear a mask, emphasizes the SPD politician. The federal government cannot force the states to apply the corona measures in the Infection Protection Act. “The wave that is building up will not end alone. You have to react.”
It is also sad that we are getting used to so many corona deaths. Overall, Lauterbach sees itself well prepared for the autumn and winter wave. There would be good vaccines, medicines and better data.
Berlin will vote next week on making masks compulsory in supermarkets and shops. The Berlin Senator for Health Ulrike Gote (Greens) announced this on Wednesday in view of the infection process in Berlin. Brandenburg’s Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens) can also imagine a mask requirement for her state.
Meanwhile, medical representatives are calling on the countries to act quickly. “Wherever the incidences are now going through the roof, the federal states have to react with an FFP2 mask requirement in public transport and in publicly accessible indoor areas,” said the chairwoman of the Marburger Bund medical association, Susanne Johna, of the Funke media group. (ml)
