We have endured the expected peak of contamination after carnival and winter sports and the corona danger has now passed.
That is what Volker Hackert, infectious disease control doctor at the GGD South Limburg in Limburg Central†
Limited number of hospital admissions
“We knew, of course, that the number of infections would increase significantly after Carnival,” says Hackert. “That is always the case, also with the flu, but fortunately the number of hospital admissions remained limited. It was somewhat higher here than the national average, but it absolutely did not keep the same trend with the number of infections.”
Broad protection
According to Hackert, this is largely due to the vaccinations. “As a result, we got through this latest wave of infections very well. We now have broad protection among the population. That also gives hope for the future if new variants may appear in the autumn. Although of course you don’t know then. whether we can withstand that, but at the moment the virus is not developing aggressively.”
China
However, alarming sounds are now coming from China, where the number of infections has almost broken records in recent days and where cities are going into lockdown. “That is the policy in China to contain the virus as quickly as possible,” says Hackert. “But it’s not a new variant, it’s Omikron 2, which we also have here.”
Refugees
The GGD is now also trying to target the expected growing group of refugees from Ukraine. “Many people who come here are not vaccinated. Not only against Covid, but also against polio or measles. We would like to give them those vaccinations as soon as possible. Especially for their own protection, because our population seems sufficiently protected.”
Relaxations
The cabinet is expected to announce tomorrow that the latest corona measures will also expire. “I think that is also possible because it will not lead to problems. As said, the complaints are often mild if someone becomes infected. There is no pressure on the hospitals, which we were afraid of. It is actually starting a flu-like illness But we must not let go of our vigilance, there can always be a new variant.”