Gecko experts advocate continuing to monitor the virus even after the COVID-19 legislation is lifted. Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) announced the end of Covid laws in the middle of the year. According to experts, the inclusion of pathogens of other respiratory infections (eg RSV, influenza) in the surveillance system in addition to SARS-CoV-2 should also be considered.

“From GECKO’s perspective, in the event of possible repeal of COVID-19 legislation, care should be taken to maintain an appropriate level of surveillance. In particular, wastewater monitoring and genomic surveillance (sequencing of positive samples) have proven to be effective, meaning assessing viral load in the general population.” income,” says the current Advisory Panel document.

Protection of vulnerable groups

The committee’s new “Executive Report” therefore says the collection and analysis of past and future data on SARS-CoV-2 should “represent an important and indispensable aspect in planning the transfer of pandemic management to regular operations.”

The protection of “vulnerable groups” should remain a focus “and especially as the current set of rules comes to an end”. Regarding COVID-19 drugs, procurement and administration should be integrated into regular operations.