German hospitals expect Omicron to be a lighter variant

BERLIN (Reuters) – A variant of the Omicron coronavirus could ease the pressure on Germany’s health care system if it causes milder illnesses, despite rising infections, the head of the country’s chief hospital association (VLK) said on Sunday.

VLK President Michael Weber said the coronavirus would not pose a threat to the health care system if Omicron became as prevalent in South Africa, Britain or Denmark as Germany and if the infections were as mild as there.

“There is a realistic probability that the pandemic will become endemic in this country as well,” Weber told Welt am Sonntag.

As Omicron spreads in Germany, daily infections are on the rise again after falling steadily in recent days in December, and the number of beds occupied in intensive care units has also increased.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also expressed optimism that Omicron appears to be less risky than previous variants, but noted that it still poses a risk to older people who are not vaccinated.

“The first vaccine greatly reduces the risk of death after 14 days. I call on people to get vaccinated,” Lauterbach told Bild am Sonntag.

The highly infectious variant of omicron has caused an increase in coronavirus cases worldwide. Worldwide infections have hit record highs, with an average of just over one million cases detected between 24 and 30 December a day, according to Reuters data. But so far deaths have not risen at the same rate, leading to the hope that such a deadly variant.

On Sunday, Germany reported 12,515 new infections, a seven-day incidence of 100,000 people rising from 220.3 to 222.7 the day before. Another 46 people were killed and the death toll from the pandemic reached 112,155.

Lauterbach also said it was still important to wear face masks.

“The viral load of those infected with Omicron is lower, which is why masks are more effective. Everyone should wear masks when associating with other people.”