The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units in German hospitals is continuing to rise. The proportion of patients under the age of 60 is also steadily increasing. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there is a clear reason for this. 

Vaccination rate among young people insufficient in Germany

The inadequate vaccination rate among younger adults in Germany is beginning to make itself known in intensive care units, according to the RKI. Among the people treated for coronavirus between mid-August and early September, the majority were aged between 18 and 59 years, the RKI’s weekly report shows. They believe this is an indicator that vaccination rates are still insufficiently high among this age group. 

According to the RKI, so-called “breakthrough infections”, where a person has to be admitted to hospital with COVID, despite being vaccinated, have so far remained relatively rare. The institute is therefore appealing to everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. 

Overall, the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units increased by 22 percent at the end of summer, to almost 1.400 people in total. The all-time high was recorded over Christmas 2020, when around 5.760 patients were in intensive care. 

Most COVID patients in hospital now aged between 35 and 59

Carefully analysing patient data between the 32nd and 35th calendar week, the RKI found that 4.836 people aged between 18 and 59 were admitted to hospital due to a COVID-19 infection. 496 were in intensive care and 54 died. Of these hospital patients, 182 were aged between 12 and 17. During the same period, 2.590 COVID patients over the age of 60 were admitted to hospital; 411 went to an intensive care unit and 338 died. 

Most COVID patients who are hospitalised are now aged between 35 and 59, the RKI said. The next-highest hospitalisation rate is among the 60 to 79-year-olds, according to the weekly report. Nonetheless, the risk of dying from an infection is still highest among the elderly, with the vast majority of coronavirus deaths recorded among those over the age of 80. 

Although around 61,9 percent of Germany’s population is now fully vaccinated against coronavirus, the rates are distributed very unevenly between the age groups. As of September 8, around 83 percent of people over the age of 60 had had both of their jabs, compared to around 67 percent of people aged between 18 and 59.