(ANSA) - BERLIN, 09 FEB - His voice has become a 'leitmotiv' in the public debate on the coronavirus in Germany: Karl Lauterbach, the Health expert of the SPD, warns today of a third wave of the pandemic, caused by the "turbo-virus." Ahead of Wednesday's summit between the state and the regions (Laender), Lauterbach said that the current opening policy is wrong. "The worst solution would be to wait for the third wave - he explained - as this attitude means wasting precious time that can never come back. Extending the lockdown until Easter is the only solution. Now we need courage and transparency." According to the SPD member, the British and South African variants account for 20% of Germany's current infections, where in recent weeks, the covid cases have been decreasing. In Germany, the lockdown has been in effect since December 16. (ANSA).