Germany is facing a “bitter Corona December” – RKI calls on people to do this!
Germany is facing a “bitter December” and people are being urged to reduce contact and take further action in the face of rising COVID cases!
New measures announced
Germany’s disease control center is urging people to cancel or avoid large events and reduce contact with others as infection rates soar in Germany, the Associated Press reports.
The Robert Koch Institute reported that the infection rate in Germany rose to 263.7 new cases per 100,000 population in seven days. That’s a 14.6 percent increase from the rate reported Nov. 11. The country also reported 48,640 new cases of infection and 191 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Now this should help:
RKI calls on people to do this!
To reduce the number of infections, the Robert Koch Institute advises in its weekly report to “cancel or avoid major events if possible,” but “also reduce all other unnecessary contact.” Those who cannot avoid attending an event should undergo a COVID-19 test. Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute, also pointed out that fewer hospital beds were available than “at any other time during the pandemic” and that there were also fewer staff in intensive care units.
More than two-thirds of the German population is fully vaccinated, and mandatory vaccination is not expected. However, those who are fully vaccinated should be encouraged to get booster shots in the near future.
“We must do everything necessary!”
“We must now do everything necessary to break this momentum,” said Health Minister Jens Spahn. “Otherwise it will be a bitter December for the whole country.” The number of daily infections topped 50,000 for the first time this week.
While the infection rate is not yet as high as in some other European countries, its inexorable rise in Germany has set alarm bells ringing. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to meet with the 16 state governors next week to coordinate nationwide action, and parliament is considering a bill that would create a new legal framework for restrictions during the winter.
Contact reduction needed
In the worst affected areas, the number of people attending large events should be reduced, or authorities should consider banning such events and closing bars or clubs.
In most German regions, access to many indoor venues and events is restricted to people who have been vaccinated against the virus, have recovered from COVID-19 or have recently tested negative – with the latter category being excluded in an increasing number of areas. But enforcement is often lax.