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What are super spreaders?
Whether it was the mass infections as a result of visiting an après-ski bar in Ischgl, the carnival celebrations in the Heinsberg district or the current incidents in slaughterhouses: according to the latest findings, these events probably have the so-called superspreader in common. This refers to a single person infected with Covid-19 who unknowingly infects many other people.
Factors: This is what constitutes a superspreading event
The requirements for this? These events have brought many people together in a small space. The airtight interior promotes infection through the finest, small droplets or virus-laden aerosols. These can be caused, for example, by speaking loudly at parties or singing in church. Now there is a single highly contagious person in the midst of this crowd – and infecting countless others.
This coincidence of various factors, also known as a superspreading event, triggers mass infections that are probably due to just a few infected people. This effect had not previously been expected by the researchers with Covid-19, since infected people are very contagious even before the first symptoms appear – it was therefore assumed that those affected spread the disease relatively evenly.
The majority of infections can be traced back to a few infected people
Apparently, however, the majority of infections can be traced back to events with the so-called superspreaders. This rate is measured by the dispersion factor k. It describes the spread of the disease – this has not yet been finally determined for Covid-19. However, experts assume a large to medium-sized spread. The results of a Chinese study suggest that only 20 percent of all those infected are responsible for 80 percent of the infections.
Good news in the fight against Corona
This is good news for the containment of Corona. Because it means that not all people have to be kept under control in the same way in every situation, but above all that superspreading events have to be brought under control.
The problem: The infected person can still hardly be identified – the disease is hardly noticed before symptoms appear. However, the other factors of superspreading events can be controlled. Large, confusing events, insufficient minimum distance, closed rooms and the like should definitely be avoided under these circumstances.
Also essential: Immediately trace and isolate all contact persons. Waiting for test results takes too long and could cause more infections in the meantime.
Also interesting: Corona tracing app will probably come in mid-June >>
Control superspreading events
Japan is pursuing a similar strategy in the fight against the corona virus. There was no hard lockdown, the focus was on the so-called superspreading events. In addition, contact persons were consistently identified and isolated here. The result: Slowly but steadily decreasing numbers of infections.
The virologist Christian Drosten now assesses the situation under these circumstances in the NDR podcast more positively. He is optimistic that if these measures are consistently pursued, we could avoid a second, deadly wave.
Sources: Tagesschau, NDR, WDR
