German Health Authorities Warn of 5th Wave Possibility... "Urge Vaccination and Contact Restrictions"

Avoid Large Gatherings and Indoor Events

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young]The head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's equivalent of the disease control agency, warned that without additional measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country could face a fifth wave.

According to the dpa news agency on the 21st (local time), RKI Director Lothar Wieler stated, "If minimizing social contacts and increasing vaccination rates do not significantly improve the situation, current predictive models suggest that we will face a fifth wave."

Germany is currently experiencing the fourth wave of COVID-19. The federal government and the 16 state governments have agreed on plans to restrict access to restaurants, bars, and other venues for unvaccinated individuals, and some states have reintroduced partial lockdowns and various other restrictions in response.

Director Wieler urged, "What people do now will determine the situation this winter," adding, "Large gatherings and indoor events should be avoided."

He also emphasized, "Preventive measures are necessary even in states that have not yet been severely affected," and stressed that "measures limiting contact between people can prevent an increase in infections."

While Wieler emphasized the need to significantly increase vaccination rates, he noted that vaccination alone is not sufficient and that limiting contacts is an important measure to prevent a faster rise in infections.

The RKI is urging that at least 85% of people aged 12 to 59 and 90% of those aged 60 and over complete their vaccinations. Currently, about 68% of the total population in Germany have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Thomas Mertens, chairman of Germany's vaccination commission, recently told a German media outlet, "There is a possibility of a fifth wave," adding, "How severe it will be largely depends on how many people get vaccinated and receive booster shots (additional doses to enhance preventive effects)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.