The seven-day incidence of coronavirus in Germany has risen for the eighth consecutive day. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported the nationwide value of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week this Thursday morning at 85.6. That compares with 80.4 the previous day, 67.0 a week ago, and 68.5 a month ago.

Health offices in Germany reported 16,077 new Corona infections to the RKI within one day. A week ago, the figure had been 12,382 infections.Germany-wide, 67 deaths were recorded within 24 hours, according to the new data. A week ago, there had been 72 deaths. The number of people who died from or with the involvement of a proven infection with the virus Sars-CoV-2 thus rose to 94,875.

The RKI counted 4,417,708 confirmed infections with Sars-CoV-2 since the start of the pandemic, but the actual total is likely to be much higher because many infections go undetected. The RKI reported the number of those who recovered as 4,182,800.

The number of corona patients admitted to hospitals per 100,000 population within seven days - the most important parameter for a possible tightening of corona restrictions - was given by the RKI on Wednesday as 2.34 (Tuesday 2.13). There is no nationwide threshold for when the situation should be considered critical for hospitalization incidence, in part because of wide regional variations. The previous high was around 15.5 around Christmas time.

USA on booster vaccines and blending of vaccines

In the U.S., after BioNTech/Pfizer's Corona vaccine, the competent authority also granted approvals for booster vaccines from the manufacturers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. In addition, the FDA on Wednesday allowed vaccines to be mixed, so that two or more injections can come from different manufacturers in the future.

Moderna's booster vaccines, known as boosters, may be given to anyone over age 65 and to any adult at increased risk of contracting the disease. The second injection must have been given at least six months ago. People 18 and older can have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine injected again two months after vaccination. Booster vaccinations with the agent from BioNTech/Pfizer have also been officially approved and started in the USA.

The issue of a booster vaccination is fundamentally controversial. Proponents argue that an additional dose of vaccine increases protection against coronavirus infection, especially given the spread of the delta variant and waning immunity over time.Opponents of booster vaccination, on the other hand, say that two doses of vaccine would already provide sufficient protection, especially against severe and fatal courses of the disease. They believe the focus should be on vaccinating unvaccinated people - in the U.S., but also in developing countries where there is a shortage of vaccines.

About 170 million people in the U.S. have been vaccinated so far with BioNTech/Pfizer or Moderna's products, and about 15 million with Johnson & Johnson's.

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