THE GERMANS WONDER

THE GERMANS WONDER More and more people are infected, hospitals are empty, and there are almost no deaths. What is actually going on? In Germany, more and more people are being tested positive for coronavirus again. But, few end up in hospitals and almost no one dies ... Writes: Jutarnji.hrPosted: September 3, 2020 4:54 pm 8368725 Ina Fassbender / AFP Facebook Twitter Messenger E-mail According to current data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), about 9,200 infected people were reported in Germany in the week of August 17-23 - almost four times more than six weeks ago. Of those infected for whom treatment data were available (6,981), 323 had to be hospitalized. Six weeks ago, the number of those who had to go to the hospital was only slightly lower. According to the data of the Register of Intensive Care Association DIVI (German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine), there are currently about 240 patients in intensive care units. And that number is pretty stable despite the increase in the number of infected. In mid-April, more than 2,000 patients were in intensive care, writes Deutsche Welle . One of the reasons why there are currently relatively few people who do not become seriously ill despite the infection could be age. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the average age of infected people is currently around 32 years. In mid-April, the average age was about 50 years. The RKI also notes that the number of people infected between the ages of 10 and 30 has risen sharply in recent weeks. Young people are easier to tolerate the infection Virologist Ulf Dittmer from the University Clinic in Essen points out that younger people cope better with the infection anyway than older people. In addition, as a rule, they have not previously had other serious diseases due to which coronavirus infection can then have more serious consequences. While in the week of August 17-23, only five percent of those infected had to go to the hospital, in mid-April about 20 percent had to. According to Dittmer, young people are currently more often infected because they do not adhere to such strict hygiene rules. "It simply came to our notice then. "Biology did not predict that young people would keep their distance from each other," says Dittmer. But it is also possible that young people are being tested more and more and that is why they are more likely to be infected. According to Dittmer, treatment options have also improved. Antiviral drugs such as Remdesivir are now being used earlier. In addition, several studies have been published in recent months dealing with the correct way to treat severely ill people with Covid-19. The virus is no less dangerous One thesis about a smaller number of seriously ill people says that the virus may have mutated and that it no longer leads to a serious illness so often. But Richard Neher of the University of Basel dismisses it. The head of the Virus and Bacteria Evolution Research Department says the coronavirus has not become less dangerous. It is true that he, like other viruses, had mutations, but there was no mutation that broke through all of Europe, ”says Neher. RELATED NEWS Archive photo DECISION The Germans added Zadar County to the red corona list: They suggest not traveling there WARNING Germany shortens Covid quarantine from 14 to 5 days, ECDC chief: 'Don't do it!' "The virus hasn't changed much since March." The total number of tests is constantly growing. Testing capacity has been increasing for months. According to the Robert Koch Institute, almost a million people have been tested in Germany in a week. By comparison, in mid-April, the number of tests was well below 500,000. The share of positive tests has fallen from about eight percent to less than one percent since early April. "We test more and find more people without symptoms, without disease," says Dittmer of the University Clinic in Essen. And that could be the reason for the increase in the number of new infections and at the same time fewer infected people who are seriously ill. In addition, it is unclear what percentage of people the test shows are infected even though they do not have coronavirus. The health system is not compromised It cannot be expected that the health system will not be able to accept all patients who need intensive treatment, says Uwe Janssens , president of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (DIVI). "We are much better prepared, that is quite clear." In March, everyone was surprised by the scale of the epidemic. But even then, the care of patients on an outpatient or inpatient basis "was not endangered at any time, and especially there was no breakdown." The medics have learned a great deal in recent months and in the meantime are adequately supplied with protective equipment. "Hospital wards for Covid-19 are clearly separated, and medical staff in the meantime can routinely treat people with suspected covid-19 or patients in certain areas." In case of emergency, hospitals can switch to Covid-19 treatment at any time. Although we are very far from that, Germany has enough beds for intensive care. There are currently 9,000 of them available, Deutsche Welle writes .