RKI weekly report: Which variants are predominant in Germany?? Which ones make people particularly ill? Photo: Henning Kaiser/dpa
The omicron subtype BA.2 is clearly predominant in Germany. What about the other variants? The RKI weekly report provides information on this ie.
The omicron subvariant BA.According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Corona 2 now causes the highest number of infections in Germany.
Their proportion, according to the most recent findings – a sample from the week before last – was 97 percent, the RKI weekly report said Thursday evening.
According to this, BA comes to just under three percent.1, the previously predominant subtype. The relatively recently emerged omicron sublines BA.4 and BA.5 do not play a special role according to the data so far: BA.4 is listed at 0 percent, BA.5 at 0.1 percent. Mixed variants have so far only been detected in isolated cases, writes the RKI. In Germany, only a small proportion of positive samples have their genetic material completely examined.
Mutation responsible for increased disease severity
About variants, Charite virologist Christian Drosten recently wrote on Twitter, at BA.4 and BA.5 there is a specific mutation in the spike protein, which is also known from the delta variant and which is associated with increased disease severity in experiments with hamsters. In addition, it is likely that the variants will better escape antibodies from vaccinated and recovered people. In the USA and India, for example, BA.2.12.1 another variant has been observed, in which increased disease severity could also be suspected due to a specific mutation. "You have to continue to monitor the situation," Drosten summed up.
Regarding the vaccination campaign, the RKI states in its weekly report that currently mainly second booster vaccinations are administered. According to the RKI and the Standing Commission on Vaccination, this should protect high-risk groups and people aged 70 and older from severe disease in particular. According to the report, the first booster vaccination, which is recommended more widely, has been given to just under 60 percent of all people in Germany. The report reiterates that vaccination, with its "high protective effect against a severe course," has not lost its importance.
"Time-delayed follow-up reports" due to Easter holidays
The RKI said on the influence of the Easter holidays and vacations with fewer tests on the reporting data: Presumably, more cases were not recorded, "with time-delayed subsequent reports and transmissions". However, the key figures for hospital admissions continue to decline. Overall, health experts continue to speak of a high infection prere, with more than 750.000 cases reported within one week.
Mandatory isolation for infected persons should nevertheless be shortened to five days. This was announced by the Ministry of Health in Saxony-Anhalt on Thursday evening. In a video link between the heads of federal and state departments, the Federal Ministry of Health announced that the recommendation of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) regarding the duration of isolation and quarantine would be adjusted at the beginning of the coming week. "Essentially, this involves shortening the isolation period for those who have tested proven positive to five days."Saxony-Anhalt currently holds the presidency of the Conference of Health Ministers (GMK). The countries want to improve their isolation-. Revise quarantine regulations accordingly. Health officials justify the move by citing increasing immunity in the population. By milder disease courses with the omicron variant. Several countries have already taken the lead in shortening the isolation period.