Coronavirus Pandemic's Impact on Behavior Unlikely to Last, Infectious Disease Expert Says
In Rostock, Emil Reisinger, an infectious disease specialist, does not anticipate that the behavior changes observed during the Covid-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on people's actions, even during the common cold season. He believes that people tend to forget such happenings quite quickly, even though the recent Corona wave occurred only a year prior.
A report from the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lagus) reveals that over 38,300 individuals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern sought medical attention for new cold symptoms during the penultimate week of November – a significant increase compared to the previous two weeks. Remarkably, the number of sickness cases was already over 41,400 in the last week of October.
Coronaviruses have been on the rise in recent weeks, as per the Lagus report, and now account for the largest share among underlying pathogens. According to Reisinger, this resurgence can be attributed to the recurring emergence of new strains. Although these new strains are more infectious, they do not display more severe symptoms. Fortunately, the majority of the population is either immune to the virus through infection or vaccination, and hospital-related overload is unlikely.
Rhinoviruses surpass coronaviruses as the most common respiratory pathogen, accounting for around 62% of cases, according to Lagus reports. These viruses commonly cause mild symptoms like coughs, colds, hoarseness, and mild fever. Adenoviruses are the third most common respiratory pathogen, typically causing moderate illness.
Reisinger expects the flu to arrive in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by January. Vaccination against both Covid-19 and flu is particularly important for high-risk groups, such as older individuals, people with pre-existing conditions, healthcare workers, pregnant women, and those who have frequent contact with others.
The infectious disease expert emphasizes the benefits of wearing masks in specific situations – for example, in crowded public transportation conditions when others are coughing. He also suggests that mask-wearing recommendations could be reintroduced in hospitals if the virus rapidly spreads and infection rates increase significantly.
Nursery centers in the northeast are currently reporting above-average illness rates, with over 20% of children in Vorpommern-Rügen daycare centers reported sick. The report suggests that the children are primarily affected by respiratory illnesses, likely caused by rhinoviruses or other common pathogens.
Subsequently, health officials and experts are encouraging universal mask-wearing, hand hygiene practices, and vaccination as the most effective measures in preventing the spread of the virus within the community. As Alle Kosch anyalizes in a statement, "Currently, the focus is on protecting the most vulnerable population, ensuring children do not miss out on in-person education, and striking a balance between individual rights and collective responsibility."
Enrichment Insight:
It is vital to contextualize the situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the rest of Germany within the global background concerning the pandemic. As of January 22, 2023, health authorities worldwide have reported over 450 million Covid-19 cases and more than 6 million associated deaths. Federations like the European Union and member countries like Germany are working together to combat the evolving SARS-CoV-2 variant, prioritizing vaccination programs and public health measures, such as mask mandates and limitations on gatherings and travel.
For the most recent and specific information regarding the regional impact of Coronavirus cases and relevant health policies in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and local health authorities are reliable sources for the most current and accurate data.
