LONG ISOLATION NOT REQUIRED, SCIENTIST SAYS

Fourteen-day isolation periods are not necessary to defeat the coronavirus and a second wave of infections can be avoided, Germany’s leading government scientist said Friday.

With what is now known about the virus, it is possible to contain further outbreaks, claimed Prof. Christian Drosten, chief adviser to Angela Merkel’s government on the crisis. One week’s isolation is enough to prevent the spread of infection, rather than the 14 days currently recommended by the U.K. and elsewhere, he said.

There is still no sign of a second wave in Germany almost six weeks after the country began lifting its lockdown.