BERLIN, (Reuters) – The Omicron Coronavirus variant may ease pressure on Germany’s healthcare system if it produces milder disease, even though the number of infections is rising, said the head the German Association of Senior Hospital Doctors (VLK).

Michael Weber, President of VLK, stated that coronavirus will no longer pose a threat to our health system if Omicron becomes as prevalent in Germany as in South Africa or Britain and if they are milder.

Weber said that “there is a real probability that this pandemic will also become an endemic” to Welt am Sonntag.

Omicron has spread in Germany. Infections per day have increased since December after declining steadily. Also, the number of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) has increased.

Karl Lauterbach, the Health Minister, expressed his optimism about Omicron’s safety. However, he pointed out that Omicron still poses a threat to those who have not been vaccinated.

The risk of dying by just 14 days after the initial vaccination is given dramatically. People should get vaccinated.”, Lauterbach told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Coronavirus has seen a spike in cases due to the highly contagious Omicron virus. According to Reuters data worldwide infections are at an all-time high. There have been just under a million new cases every day since Dec. 24, according to Reuters. However, deaths are not increasing at this rate so there is hope that the variant will be less deadly.

Germany recorded 12,515 new cases on Sunday. The seven-day average incidence for 100,000 persons rose to 222.7, from 220.3 yesterday. The death toll from the pandemic has risen to 112,155 with the addition of 46 more people.

Lauterbach stated that facemasks are still very important.

Omicron has a lower viral load, so masks can be more effective. When meeting with others, everyone should use masks.