In the last regular episode of the NDR podcast "Coronavirus Update" for the time being, the scientists Christian Drosten and Sandra Ciesek took a look at the future of the pandemic and emphasized the continuing importance of masks.

“The numbers will certainly remain relatively high, at least until the Easter holidays or a week or two after that,” said the virologist Drosten on the podcast on Tuesday evening.

At present, one is benefiting from the main effect of the vaccination and from the alleviation of the severity of the disease in Omicron.

“We can already say that the situation has improved significantly as a result.

But it is not completely dissolved," the expert from the Berlin Charité pointed out.

There is currently a linear increase in hospital admissions and a shift to older age groups.

That's why he assumes that the intensive care units will soon fill up again and that there will be more deaths - possibly by around mid-May.

The virologist Ciesek from the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main added that if the number of infections rose again, as is currently the case, it would be “obviously bad if you then lift additional measures and thus boost them”.

She expressly recommended continuing to wear masks – for example in tight situations, in poorly ventilated indoor areas and on local public transport.

“All risk patients should definitely continue to wear a mask for themselves, if not everyone else does it,” advised Drosten.

It is possible that at some point, with a falling incidence and a lack of requirements, there will be “Asian courtesy” when wearing masks.

The podcast started more than two years ago.

Most recently, Ciesek and Drosten could be heard alternating in the format – now it's over for both of them.

They explained that they wanted to devote more time to their research fields again.

The podcast should continue for the time being: according to NDR, special episodes are planned next.