Due to the rise of the delta variant, Germany is at the beginning of a fourth corona wave. So says the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the German counterpart of Sciensano. However, it is mainly young people who are currently infected.

The percentage of positive laboratory tests has increased from four to six percent in one week. The seven-day incidence, the number of new cases in a week, has almost tripled since the beginning of August to 48.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, some German citizens have been infected while on holiday.

The number of infections is rising sharply, especially among the young. In the age group between 15 and 34 years, the seven-day incidence is about 86. In the over 60s, who are often already fully vaccinated, this is still 10 infections per 100,000.

According to the RKI, there is a major health risk for Germans who are not or are incompletely vaccinated. However, for the fully vaccinated, the risk is classified as “moderate”.

The health institute points out that a similar increase in the number of infections occurred in late September-early October last year. But in 2020, there was no protection by vaccination, it is emphasized.

In total, about 64 percent of the German population has received at least one dose of a corona vaccine. More than 58 percent have already been fully vaccinated.