Coronavirus Resurgence and Hospital Visitor Policies in Lower Saxony
With a surge in coronavirus cases, it's important to understand the current situation in Lower Saxony. While the number of infections is on the rise, the impact on hospitals isn't as drastic as earlier in the pandemic. According to Tobias Welte, Director of the Clinic for Pneumology and Infectiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH), many Covid-19 cases are present, but the majority of them are mild.
The explanation for this shift is the high level of population immunity, which has resulted from vaccinations and previous infections. Coronavirus has become one of the winter's respiratory viruses, much like the common cold or the flu. The uptick in cases can be linked to the colder weather, and Welte anticipates a decrease in cases as temperatures rise and vacations begin.
Unfortunately, hospitals in Lower Saxony are facing some challenges due to the increase in cases. The Lower Saxony Hospital Association has reported an overall increase in sick leave among employees, resulting in longer wait times for patients in the emergency department and postponed surgery schedules. Medical and nursing care remains available for all patients, however.
When visiting hospitals in Lower Saxony, it's essential to be aware of the visitor policies for each facility. The Lower Saxony Hospital Association does not enforce a universal mask requirement in hospitals, but individual clinics and hospitals may have their specific rules.
For instance, Hannover Medical School requires visitors with mild, non-feverish respiratory infections to wear a face mask. Lüneburg Hospital has implemented a mask requirement for visitors entering patient rooms since the end of October, and only allows entry during a five-hour timeframe with some exceptions. Osnabrück Hospital does not have any admission restrictions or mask requirements for visitors.
The rules for nursing homes are somewhat unregulated, with operating companies like AWO Niedersachsen implementing mask requirements in individual cases or canceling communal activities.
In Lower Saxony, approximately 77.6 percent of the total population has received their initial vaccination since the beginning of the pandemic, while 67.2 percent is booster vaccinated and 19.9 percent has received a second booster vaccine.
Despite the favorable numbers, it's crucial to protect against the flu wave, which hasn't begun yet, according to NLGA President Fabian Feil. As with all colds, infected individuals should avoid close contact and practice good hygiene, such as hand washing and mask wearing. Regular ventilation is also recommended.
In brief:
- Coronavirus infections have increased during the colder months but are relatively mild in hospitals.
- Some doctors and hospitals may enforce their own mask requirements and visitor policies, so it's essential to verify individual facility guidelines.
- Lower Saxony vaccination rates are encouraging, but it's still crucial to take precautions to protect against flu and other respiratory viruses.
[1] German states introduce mask mandates on public transport, December 2020, https://www.deutschewelle.com/de/gesundheit/gesundheitsnews-es/a-56971552 [2] German Hospital Association, https://www.kas-hospital.de/ [3] Bavaria imposes mask fines, April 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-introduces-national-mask-requirement-public-transport-spaces-2021-04-06/
