A top Berlin virologist said that Germany must impose strict Covid restrictions “immediately” or face 100,000 more deaths.
The warning from Christian Drosten, head of virology at Berlin’s Charite University Hospital, came as the country saw yet another record day of coronavirus cases.
Speaking on his NDR podcast, Drosten said that 100,000 deaths was a ‘conservative estimate’ as cases continue to rise, adding that another lockdown would be needed if vaccinations do not quickly accelerate.
Christian Drosten is the head of viralology at Berlin’s Charite University Hospital. (see file photo). He warned that Germany might see 100,000 more deaths as a result of Covid-19, and suggested the government not to impose any new restrictions on contact in order to limit the spread.
“We are in an urgent situation,” he stated about the conditions at the many hospitals intensive care units throughout the country. We must do something right away.
Official figures show that since the outbreak of the pandemic in Germany, Covid-19 has claimed the lives of 96,963 victims.
Mr Drosten, one of the county’s top virologists, said he expects ‘a very strenuous winter’ if vaccinations do not pick up quickly, and said the German government would need to consider measures ‘that we actually hoped to have behind us’.
He said, “We probably have to control infection activity once again using contact measures, not likely, but certain.”
Drosten stated that despite being in a dire situation, 15 million people could and should be vaccinated.
The scientist’s dire warning came as Germany’s national disease control centre reported a record number of new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.
Robert Koch Institute has registered 39.676 more cases than the 37.120 reported cases on Friday.
In Germany, the infection rate has risen to 232.1 per 100,000 inhabitants over the last seven days according to the institute.
Officials from the government have stated repeatedly that they are not planning to put up lockdowns but have instead asked for vaccinations.
Pictured: In Berlin’s walk-in vaccine centre, a healthcare worker gives a COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) vaccination to an individual. One of the top county virologists Mr Drosten said that he expected a very difficult winter if vaccines don’t pick up fast.
Germany’s September federal elections have resulted in a national caretaker government.
Parties that will form the next government are likely to present legislation this week. This would permit a March 2020 declaration of an “epidemic condition of national scope” to end at the end and create a legal framework to institute coronavirus precautions.
The country follows the same regional guidelines as during previous pandemics.
A majority of indoor venues and events are restricted to those who have had their vaccinations, recovered from Covid-19 treatment or received negative results. The latter group is now exempt in certain areas.
However, it is not uncommon for the rules to be ignored.
Many hospitals recently stated they are working again at limits, and they have intensive care units that are full of Covid patients. They cannot accept new patients right now.
On Tuesday, the Charite hospital announced that it was forced to cancel scheduled surgeries because of the large number of Covid patients being cared for by its staff. Most of the patients who have been admitted so far aren’t vaccinated, according to officials.
According to government figures, approximately 67 percent are fully vaccinated in Germany. The government does not make vaccines compulsory for professionals.
Drosten acknowledged that tightening national Covid restrictions might face legal problems and said that booster vaccinations, which are given three times per year in total, would be the best long-term option.
Pictured: This is a woman passing a Berlin coronavirus screening center on November 9, 2021. Germany’s Robert Koch Institute registered 39,676 new cases, surpassing the 37,120 cases that were reported on Friday.
Drosten stated that you could get booster vaccines in place of restrictions on contact. “That is something that I believe strongly in.
He raised concerns about the entry requirements into certain venues. These are known as 2G or 3G in Germany. 3G allows vaccinated (geimpft), recovered (genesen) and negative tested people (getestet) entry into venues such as restaurants and bars.
However, Drosten said that 3G could lead to an unvaccinated person catching the virus from a vaccinated person.
The more restrictive 2G option – vaccinated (geimpft) and recovered (genesen) – could close the door to the ‘back door’ testing option, he said, but as vaccinated people are still able to pass on the virus, ‘the virus will simply come into the home.’
The virologist also criticised plans by the government-in-waiting to bring back free testing as a means to avoid new lockdowns.
He said that tests were being offered as an emergency brake in order to stop the tsunami. “But it won’t enough. He stated that it was necessary to reach all those not yet vaccinated in order to “close the gaps”.