Drosten's Insight on the Current Covid Situation

Current Covid Risks Compared to Flu

München/Berlin. Bavaria's Minister of Health Judith Gerlach has called for heightened protection against Covid infections. Gerlach emphasized that "this summer, infections with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have already increased. This autumn, we expect a further rise in COVID-19 cases. Therefore, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions should check if a booster shot is due." Additionally, she pointed out that wearing an FFP2 mask on public transport can reduce the risk of infection.

Covid-19 Infection Rates on the Rise

The Minister referred to current case numbers in Bavaria, indicating that since early June, the State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) has registered 11,571 SARS-CoV-2 infections as of September 23, 2024. The actual number is likely much higher. In the same period last year, LGL reported 8,831 infections. A rise in infection rates is expected during the autumn and winter months.

Drosten's Perspective on Current Threat Levels

Over the weekend, virologist Christian Drosten commented on the current threat posed by the coronavirus. He now considers the virus to be comparably dangerous to flu viruses, stating that "we are fortunately in a situation where the flu comparison holds true — this is due to the population being largely vaccinated and most people having had multiple infections." Drosten mentioned that at the beginning of the pandemic, he didn't anticipate effective vaccines being available after just a year.

However, he cautions that this doesn't mean that Covid poses no threat. "In the early days of the pandemic, some voices claimed COVID was comparable to a normal flu — why all the panic? Today, we know those were clear misjudgments," Drosten stated, adding that the narrative of the pandemic shouldn't be distorted.