2023-08-26 07:06:16
The Bonn virologist Hendrik Streeck Image: dpa
The new corona variant BA.2.86 does not lead to any more serious diseases, says the Bonn virologist Streeck. However, he assumes “that the number of infections will increase in autumn and winter”.
The Bonn virologist Hendrik Streeck calls for more composure in view of the new corona variant BA.2.86. “I don’t believe in launching fear appeals about every variant. Because we have the basic immunity against Corona and it will not be lost,” said Streeck of the “Rheinische Post” on Saturday in Düsseldorf. The currently observed variants all showed “no difference in symptoms and disease severity”. Rather, they are “immune escape variants, so that the immune system may not immediately recognize the virus at one point or another”.
Katja Gelinsky, Berlin Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 9
The virologist was not surprised by the new variant. “Since Omikron, we’ve experienced an explosion of different variants, you could say: a veritable soup of variants,” he explained. Anyone who does not belong to a risk group does not have to be immunized again.
According to Streeck, it is still “difficult” to assess whether a “corona wave” is to be expected in winter: “But I assume that the number of infections will increase in autumn and winter. Corona has joined all other flu-like infections and I think sick leave will increase in the cold season.”
A burden on the healthcare system cannot be ruled out, Streeck told the newspaper. Due to the “enormous shortage of skilled workers”, hospitals and medical practices were working “very hard”. If a strained system gets an additional load, “of course it’s always bad”.
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