County urges voluntary compliance with Corona rules
Most of the Corona rules have been suspended, life has become a little more normal again, but this should not tempt one to become too carefree. First District Councillor and Head of Health Karl Friedrich Frese points out that the seven-day incidence has recently shown a clear upward trend again. "Of course, this has to do with the highly contagious omicron sub-variant BA.5, which is spreading rapidly, especially in Portugal, but also in other European countries."
In this context, it is worrying that a clear increase in mortality in connection with Corona is being registered in Portugal. According to experts, it will take about a month before we can say with certainty whether this development will also be seen here.
"It is highly likely that we will not have an infection-free summer," Frese notes. "All the more so as social life is picking up again and many large events are being held again." Currently, high incidence rates can be observed in the aftermath of large festivals and events in the villages and towns of the district. Therefore, it is once again important to exercise caution and to take personal responsibility for the greatest possible protection against infection.
Experts currently assume that there is a high number of unreported cases of corona. Many cases are not recorded by the RKI, mainly because by far not all infected persons have a PCR test done or are able to do so due to a lack of test sites. But the official statistics are based without exception on positive PCR tests. In view of this, and also because the next large wave of infections is expected in autumn, the Health Officer recommends completing one's own vaccination protection and taking advantage of the booster vaccinations recommended by the STIKO. It is also helpful to protect oneself by voluntarily wearing masks, especially indoors, and by observing distance and hygiene rules. Corona is still a concrete reality and threat. The lifting of most of the requirements and restrictions does not change this, the First District Commissioner made clear. "Most of the rules have been dropped, but the virus is still there," he concluded.