DAccording to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the recent significant increase in the number of corona infections has also led to more corona outbreaks in medical facilities and nursing homes. In the past week there were 220 (previous week: 155) active outbreaks in medical facilities such as clinics, in old people’s and nursing homes there were 413 (previous week: 301), as the RKI wrote in its Corona weekly report on Thursday evening. “These developments can be interpreted as a direct result of the strong spread in recent weeks.”
The seven-day incidence – i.e. the number of infections recorded per 100,000 inhabitants per week – continued to rise, but not as much as before. The increase last week was 28 percent (previous week: 54 percent). The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) gave the seven-day incidence on Thursday as 793.8 – after 799.9 the day before and 462.4 a week ago. There are still significant regional differences. However, the incidences only provide an incomplete picture of the number of infections. Experts have been assuming for some time that there will be a large number of cases not recorded by the RKI.
Lauterbach: “Masks are compulsory indoors”
Due to the increasing number of corona infections in many places, the pressure on the countries is increasing to tackle additional protective requirements with masks indoors. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Thursday on ARD: “The wave that is building up will not end alone. You have to react.” The SPD politician once again advised the federal states to now consider possibilities in the Infection Protection Act. The Marburger Bund Medical Association also called for countermeasures in a critical situation and pointed out that the burden in clinics was already high On Friday, the federal government wants to present a new campaign to promote vaccinations.
Lauterbach made it clear that further requirements are at the discretion of the federal states. “We don’t want to stir up panic, we don’t want to patronize the countries either.” But it must be pointed out: “At some point the countries will have to think about it, wouldn’t it be better to introduce the mask requirement.” Of course, if they could agree on the best time, that would be great.
