Despite the increasing corona incidence and new variants: According to experts, the situation is not yet threatening – but Corona should not be underestimated.
Munich – With the official start of autumn on September 22nd and a slight increase in the corona incidence in recent weeks, many fear an impending autumn wave of corona infections. Virologist Sandra Ciesek tells the German Press Agency (dpa) that an increase in illnesses is likely to be expected in the coming weeks. In addition, there is the new corona variant KP.3.1.1, which is classified as particularly contagious.
New Corona variant KP.3.1.1 on the rise – expert assesses the current situation
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the Corona variant KP.3.1.1 already accounted for around 62 percent of the samples in the last two weeks of August. It is assumed that this new variant an even more contagious mutation However, Ciesek does not find this surprising, as the virus is constantly mutating and looking for new ways to infect people. Ultimately, the variant that is most resistant will prevail. The following symptoms may indicate an infection:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Loss of taste and smell
- Headache and limb pain
- Sniffles
Virologist assesses current situation of new corona variants
Nevertheless, there is no reason to worry, because a high infection rate does not necessarily mean that the variant makes people particularly ill. “There is no evidence of that at the moment,” stresses the virologist. The XEC variant, which has been widely reported recently, is also no cause for concern. At the request of the ZDF clear: “Since June 2024, cases in the double-digit range have been detected in Germany.” It is therefore impossible to predict whether this variant is more contagious and may spread.
The current situation is by no means threatening and cannot be compared with the conditions in 2020 and 2021. “Basically, it’s like last year, only the variants and letters are different.”
Autumn wave and new corona variants: Vaccination recommendation still applies to risk groups
Nevertheless, the coronavirus should not be underestimated, because according to the virologist, an increase in cases automatically means more severe cases. This particularly affects older people or people with a weakened immune system. “Anyone who belongs to a risk group, who does not have a healthy immune system or who would expect a severe course of the disease, would do well to get vaccinated now so that they do not become infected during the wave,” recommends Ciesek.
Ideally, the vaccination should be carried out by Vaccine that is specific to the current variant According to the RKI, the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron variant, is currently predominant in Germany. However, there is now a basic level of immunity in the population, which significantly reduces the risk of contracting Long Covid compared to the beginning of the pandemic. (kiba/dpa)
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