Because of the rapidly increasing number of infections in the corona pandemic, the Managing Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) advertised a 2-G-Plus rule at events on Friday.

It is necessary that those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered also undergo a current test in order to minimize the risk of infection.

Spahn said the situation was very serious and that everything had to be done to break the dynamic of the fourth wave.

"Otherwise it will be a bitter December," said Spahn.

Markus Wehner

Political correspondent in Berlin.

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If no decisive countermeasures are taken, the number of infections would double every two weeks.

The intensive care units in many hospitals in Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia are already so overloaded that strokes or heart attacks can no longer be treated appropriately.

In the nursing homes, not only the staff but also all visitors, including those who have recovered and those who have been vaccinated, should be tested, said Spahn.

The CDU politician called for a common signal from politicians to oppose the fourth wave. This is also necessary at a time when there is still no new federal government. That is why it is right that the prime ministers should consult with the federal government in the coming week. “From my point of view, it would have needed that three weeks ago,” said Spahn.

The President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, said: “It's five past twelve.” Many districts already have a seven-day incidence of more than 800, even more than 1000. There are currently 2,800 infected people Intensive care units, as many as in January.

More than half of the intensive care units would already report staff shortages.

The situation will not relax without additional measures.

“The fourth wave hits us with full force,” said Wieler.

Austria becomes a high risk area

Of the currently 50,000 cases of infection every day, around 3000 would have to be treated in the hospital, 350 of them in intensive care units, "at least 200" would die.

Wieler advised that major events should be canceled entirely if possible.

Spahn said that the 3-G rule is needed, also as now planned in the workplace. Too often, however, 3G was actually "zero-G" because it was not checked. Spahn noticed a positive trend in vaccination. This week, 4.3 million vaccine doses were delivered to vaccination centers and medical practices, four times more than in the previous weeks. They should also receive higher remuneration. With a planned regulation, doctors are to receive 28 euros as remuneration from Tuesday instead of the previous 20 euros, and there should be a weekend surcharge of 8 euros.

More than ten percent of citizens over the age of 60 received a booster vaccination, in Berlin it is already more than 20 percent.

He will sign an ordinance so that at least half of the vaccination centers will continue to be financed by the federal government until the end of April.

The free citizen tests would also have to be reintroduced quickly, and a corresponding test ordinance would apply from Saturday.

In addition, Austria will be declared a high-risk area from Sunday.

This means that those who have not been vaccinated and those who have not recovered have to self-isolate after entering Germany.