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Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig are simulating the effect of various conditions on the development of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Germany. Their results suggest that the restrictions in social life are effective and that a further slowing of the spread is possible. In order to protect the health system from overload, they urgently warn against easing the restrictions already now. They have published their preliminary results, which have not yet been peer-reviewed, on a preprint server for quick scientific use.

An interdisciplinary group of renowned scientists - among them Prof Gérard Krause, head of the Department Epidemiology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig - is now calling for the current restrictions in society and the economy to be gradually eased, while ensuring medical care for the entire population.

The Covid-19 pandemic affects more and more countries worldwide. Since the virus causes no or only mild symptoms in many infected people, researchers assume that the number of unreported cases is high. In order to slow down the further spread of the virus, health authorities are focusing on consistent management of contact persons of confirmed cases of infection. For this purpose, the German Public Health Service (ÖGD) will be able to use a special version of the SORMAS disease control app in the future.

After an infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, patients have antibodies against the pathogen in their blood. These are retained over a long period of time and are an indication for a past infection. It is assumed that patients who have recovered from the Covid-19 disease cannot be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2. To date, no data are available on whether there is an unrecognized Covid-19 immunity in the population beyond the SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded. The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig is now coordinating a study to investigate this question. Anonymous sera from more than 100,000 donors will be analyzed in the population study. The blood will be regularly tested for antibodies against the Covid-19 pathogen. The study will provide a more accurate picture of immunity and pandemic development.

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the pathogen behind the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus contains a main protease termed Mpro (or also termed 3CLpro), which is involved in the development of the virus’ replication complex. It consequently forms a part of the virus’ replication process and is an attractive drug target. A research group led by Prof. Rolf Hilgenfeld at Lübeck University and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has now determined the protease’s crystal structure.