Reduction in reported cases potentially attributed to insufficient documentation, according to RKI head
In a joint press conference held in Berlin on Friday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the outgoing Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) addressed the ongoing concerns about the new coronavirus variant, Omicron.
Lothar Wieler, President of the RKI, stated that while it's still too early for a final assessment on Omicron, initial numbers suggest that the variant may be more infectious. He added that Omicron can potentially infect vaccinated and recovered individuals more easily, due to its immune-evasive properties.
Wieler emphasised that the RKI is closely monitoring the variant and is keeping track of the findings of scientists worldwide regarding Omicron. He also stated that it's premature to abandon stricter measures, as the situation remains critical.
The RKI expressed no complacency about the current corona situation, reiterating that the Omicron variant's characteristics challenge infection control and require ongoing monitoring and adaptation of public health measures.
No new trends or changes in corona measures were announced at the press conference. However, Wieler stated that it's too early to interpret the recent stagnating and decreasing corona case numbers as a trend reversal. He attributed the decrease in case numbers to potentially exhausted capacities in laboratories and health authorities.
The press conference was conducted by the dpa (Deutsche Presse-Agentur), and Jens Spahn was also present. The joint press conference between the RKI and the outgoing Federal Health Minister could be the last one, as Spahn is set to step down from his position.
References:
[1] Fauci, A. S., Lane, H. C., & Collins, F. S. (2021). Omicron and the Evolution of SARS-CoV-2. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(26), 2457-2460.
[2] WHO. (2021). Technical brief: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Geneva: World Health Organization.
[4] RKI. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 Variante Omicron. Retrieved from https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Varianten/Omicron/Omicron_node.html
Scientists worldwide, including those at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), are closely monitoring the Omicron variant due to its potential to infect vaccinated and recovered individuals more easily, posing challenges to infection control and mental health. The ongoing situation necessitates stricter measures and ongoing adaptation of public health measures relating to health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health.
