Omicron share in Berlin at 43.5 percent

The Omicron variant of the Coronavirus is on the rise in Berlin.

According to lab reports, the variant has accounted for 43.5 percent of Coronavirus infections in the past week. This statistic was announced by Health Senator Ulrike Gote (Green Party) on Tuesday (04 January 2022) after the Senate meeting. Gote spoke of a "disturbing figure". She also voiced the assumption that the proportion has increased further since the data was collected, and that Omicron has now replaced Delta as the predominant virus variant in Berlin. However, ccording to the Berlin Health Administration, figures for this week's development are not yet available.

Omicron could significantly speed up the infection process

Concerning the effect of Omicron on infection situation in Berlin, Gote stated: "It's going to continue at a very accelerated pace now." The Omicron variant is much more contagious, she explained. "We're going to see a lot more infections in the coming days and weeks. We need to be prepared for that now." The percentage of Omicron infection she cited is reportedly based on feedback from laboratories. At the moment, about one-third of positive PCR tests undergo what is known as post-sequence sequencing to determine the exact viral variant, e.g. Delta or Omicron. The value determined is then extrapolated to the total number.

Data not yet complete

"Even this figure is still subject to change," Gote added, since the available data concerning Coronavirus infections are not yet complete due to the recent holidays. Depending on the detection method, several days or weeks can pass between the first report of a Covid infection and the laboratory result indicating the presence of a particularvirus variant.