Implementing rigorous lockdown measures is the mandate of Berlin's health minister

Berlin, the German capital, is currently grappling with a critical COVID-19 situation. Two Corona traffic lights stand on red, and hospitals are under immense pressure due to over 7,000 new infections per week. Specific hospitals under strain are not explicitly listed, but reports suggest overburdening and structural challenges exacerbated by the hospital reform and high infection rates.

Berlin's Health Senator, Dilek Kalayci (SPD), has called for a tough lockdown in the city. She has also appealed to businesses and employers to declare company holidays and enable home office where possible.

Kalayci has also urged Berliners to refrain from street parties on New Year's Eve. Stricter measures, she stated, are unavoidable, as the current measures have not been effective enough in reducing contact.

Mobility data shows that contact reduction has not been achieved, with only a decrease of 4-10% compared to March. This lack of progress has led to concerns about the spread of the virus during the festive season. Families are urged to maintain distance and ventilate well at their Christmas celebrations.

The situation in Berlin's hospitals remains critical, with two Corona traffic lights currently on red and 27% of intensive care beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Rapid tests have been distributed to care facilities to prevent infection hotspots, with 1.5 million rapid tests having been distributed.

The Berlin Senate is set to discuss and decide on tightening measures next Tuesday. The current lockdown, as called for by Kalayci, has not yet been implemented.

Despite the dire situation, life in the city continues. The Berlin subway system is still in operation, as evidenced by a photo of a man wearing a protective mask in a subway train (source: dts Nachrichtenagentur).

As the city navigates through these challenging times, the hope is that the upcoming discussions and decisions will lead to effective measures that help curb the spread of the virus and alleviate the pressure on hospitals.

Implementing rigorous lockdown measures is the mandate of Berlin's health minister