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The head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, warns of the spread of the mutations of the coronavirus.
In particular, variant B117, which was first detected in Great Britain, has already spread in Germany.
Mutations have been detected in 13 federal states and are responsible for slightly less six percent of infections in Germany.
"What worries us at the RKI are the effects of the variants of the virus," said Wieler on Friday at the federal press conference in Berlin.
"Sars-Cov-2 has become more dangerous." The R value with the mutations is 0.5 points higher.
"The variants gave the virus a boost."
The B117 variant is not only more contagious, said Wieler.
"There are initial indications that B117 is increasingly leading to more severe disease courses."
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) announced during the federal press conference that he would react to the approval of AstraZeneca's active ingredient: “We are changing the vaccination regulations”.
He wants to sign the change on Monday.
The prioritization groups would remain the same, but people between the ages of 18 and 64 should be vaccinated with the new AstraZeneca vaccine from February.
"This enables us to double the vaccinations in February," said Spahn.
AstraZeneca's vaccine was not recommended for people aged 65 and over.
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The trend of infections in Germany looks positive overall, said Spahn.
For the first time since October 25, fewer than 200,000 people are actively infected with the corona virus in Germany.
But Spahn also put a brake on hopes for openings soon: "We have seen in other European countries how quickly the numbers jump up again after openings." But: "When we open, the daycare centers and schools first." Spahn said, he know how great the pressure is on families with children: “Many families with children are at their limit.
This pandemic of the century remains an imposition for all of us.
It is a character and stress test for our society. "
More soon