According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the omicron sublines, which have been increasing proportionally for a few weeks, are already dominant.
"The strong growth of BA.4 and BA.5 in particular, but also BA.2.12.1, suggests that these variants currently already make up the majority of the evidence," says the RKI weekly report on Sars-CoV-2 from Thursday evening.
It is based on evaluations of virus variants.
This data in the report always refers to the week before last: BA.5 accounted for around 24 percent of the positive samples in a random sample, which again corresponds to approximately twice the value of the previous week.
BA.4 and BA.2.12.1 were both around four percent.
Because of the greater spread compared to the previously dominant pathogens, these variants could contribute to a renewed increase in the number of infections, it said.
In the development of the seven-day incidence, the RKI speaks of a significant increase of around one third for the past week compared to the previous week.
All age groups are affected.
More outbreaks in old people's and nursing homes and in medical treatment facilities have also been recorded again.
"With the further increase in the number of infections, a renewed increase in infection pressure on vulnerable groups of people is to be expected." An RKI map on the development of the infection process shows many districts with increased case numbers, especially in northwest Germany.
Lauterbach: Corona summer wave is here
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has meanwhile expressed concern about the current increase in the number of corona infections.
"Unfortunately, the announced summer wave has become reality," said Lauterbach on Wednesday.
"That also means little relaxation for the next few weeks."
Because the current virus variant is very easily transmittable and almost all precautionary measures have expired, the summer effect of the pandemic will fizzle out this year, the minister explained.
"I therefore strongly recommend that older people and people who have previously been ill be vaccinated again," said Lauterbach: "It doesn't necessarily prevent an infection, but it does prevent serious disease progression." According to the Federal Ministry of Health, 5.2 million people in Germany have received a second booster vaccination so far.
That is 6.3 percent of the population.
Virologist Christian Drosten spoke in a podcast interview with the FAZ a few days ago.
Unlike Lauterbach, Drosten “doesn’t have too many concerns at the moment” with a view to the summer.
From early autumn, however, you have to expect a lot of lost work.
"We may no longer have the problem in the intensive care unit, but simply with all employers," said Drosten: "They will notice that, and they will notice it for an agonizingly long time in the coming winter."