China News Service, November 13th. According to Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao, the fourth wave of the outbreak in Germany was mainly caused by the infection of people who had not been vaccinated against the new crown.
The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to a local hospital has tripled in recent weeks. Nearly half of them require ventilators, and none of the relevant cases have been vaccinated.
Data map: German Chancellor Merkel.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Peng Dawei
Merkel: Vaccination is a social responsibility
German outgoing Chancellor Merkel reminded the public on the 11th that those who have not yet been vaccinated must understand that they have a social responsibility to protect others.
Merkel said that the epidemic is similar to the challenge of climate change, and its severity is difficult to detect at the initial stage.
Therefore, when the epidemic begins to break out, immediate action must be taken to control it.
November 9, 2021, local time, Berlin, Germany. The local new crown epidemic is severe. The local area will implement the "2G rule", that is: only people who have been vaccinated against the new crown and cured are allowed to enter Berlin indoor dining, cultural, sports halls and other places .
Image source: ICphoto
The current vaccination rate is less than 70% Expert: At least 85% of the population needs to be vaccinated
Infectious disease expert Herrod said on the 11th that the rapid increase in new cases was mainly due to the low vaccination rate.
She pointed out that people who refuse to get vaccinated come from all walks of life. “They don’t trust vaccines and the country. They are usually difficult to reach through public propaganda activities.”
Herrod, together with other scientists, previously conducted simulation estimates for the impact of the fourth wave of the epidemic.
They warned in the early summer of this year that in the face of the highly contagious Delta virus, at least 85% of the German population must be vaccinated to avoid a public health crisis.
She said: "Now our vaccination rate is still less than 70%. I don't know if there is enough time. Faced with the epidemic, I am afraid we have already lost."
The vaccination rate in Germany is the lowest among Western European countries.
The number of confirmed cases in Germany has been increasing rapidly in recent days. In particular, more than 50,000 new cases were reported on Thursday, reaching a record high.
The federal government has called on state authorities to take further measures to contain the epidemic.