Expert: Tips on "hidden Corona-Wave"
In Germany, Rhinoviruses Thrive: More Than Five Million Infected, Highest Value Since 2011 Measurements. But What's Behind It? The Principal Cause are Rhinoviruses. According to an Epidemiologist, There are Indications of a New Corona Wave.
A summer wave of common colds sweeps through the country: The current data of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show an unusually high level of acute respiratory infections in Germany. More than five million people are affected - as many as ever in this season since the recording began in 2011. The main cause is primarily Rhinoviruses. Sars-CoV-2 plays a minor role, at least according to the official data.
The fact that there are more respiratory infections this year than in previous years is not unusual, says epidemiologist Timo Ulrichs in an interview with ntv.de. "There are many reasons for fluctuations in the numbers. This summer is exceptionally wet, which provides better conditions for viruses to survive in the air and spread." Viruses can hold on to water droplets in the air well and spread through them when the air is humid. In addition, respiratory infections like those caused by Rhinoviruses are more likely.
Warn Signals in Sewage Plants
Indeed, the summer is even more humid than usual, confirmed ntv meteorologist Bjoern Alexander. "So far, the summer in Germany has brought more than 120 liters of rain per square meter. That's already more than half of the expected amount at mid-year." The summer weather also has other effects: "People spend more time indoors when the weather is bad, which increases the risk of transmission of pathogens," says Ulrichs. Mass events like the EM could also play a role, where many people come into contact with each other in the enclosed spaces of stadiums.
But what role does Corona play in all of this? The number of officially reported Covid-19 cases has not changed significantly in recent weeks compared to the previous week. However, "we don't really know how much Corona is circulating, but we can only infer it indirectly because we are no longer testing systematically," says epidemiologist Ulrichs. There are also indications of a "hidden Corona wave" - through the systematic monitoring of sewage, known as sewage monitoring. The RKI reports a "rising trend" of Sars-CoV-2 in the sewage since mid-May.
Already High Corona Immunity
Charite Virologist Christian Drosten also expects Corona waves in Europe and other parts of the world based on these observations, as he recently told ntv.de. However, certain variants are still able to evade immunity, which is why summer waves are still possible.
However, these prospects do not cause concern for Ulrichs: "What matters is that there has been no increase in hospitalizations," the expert says. According to the RKI report, the number of severe respiratory infections decreased most recently. Severe Covid-19 cases were mainly affected by older patients and patients - these cases make up only one fifth of all severe respiratory infections.
Reason for relatively calm Corona-Situation is the now high population immunity, according to Ulrichs. Almost everyone is now vaccinated, had been ill or both. "The virus finds it hard to spread among the population because of this," the expert says. "Many people have had two, three or even four infections," estimates Virologist Drosten. However, they would still feel "very sick" if they caught it again. "We don't exactly know how often an adult needs to have an infection to no longer notice it," says Drosten. This doesn't seem to be the case currently.
Anti-Corona Tips Still Apply
But what do you do if you feel sick? The RKI advises on its Homepage to stay home if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and avoid contact with risk groups. If symptoms worsen or you belong to a risk group, you should go to the doctor. It is important to note that "a negative rapid test result does not rule out an infection," writes the RKI. If a rapid test is positive, consider whether, depending on your health condition, contact with people from a risk group should be maintained.
How can one prevent an infection in enclosed spaces? Regular ventilation and wearing a mask reduces the risk of transmission, according to the RKI. Additionally, it is important that Covid-19, Influenza, and Pneumococcal vaccinations are up-to-date, according to the Recommendations of the STIKO.
Despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, a summer wave of common colds, primarily caused by Rhinoviruses, is currently sweeping through Germany. Simultaneously, there are indications of a "hidden Corona wave," as evidenced by the rising trend of Sars-CoV-2 in sewage since mid-May, according to sewage monitoring.
