The director of “Robert Koch”: In Europe we have to worry! – EU

Germany has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Lothar Wheeler, director of the Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases, warned that a third wave of the epidemic has begun in Europe’s largest economy, AFP reported.

New infections in the last 24 hours reached 14,356, an unprecedented level since February 4.

“In Europe, we have to worry,” Wheeler told journalists’ association ACANU in Geneva.

“If I have to talk about Germany, we are at the beginning of the third wave,” he warned, highlighting the importance of the population complying with restrictions such as wearing a mask and keeping their distance.

New 14,356 cases of coronavirus in Germany

In late February, Germany began gradually easing restrictions, first allowing younger students to return to school and this week allowing stores to open.

But epidemiologists have warned that the most virulent strains have increased cases in neighboring Czech Republic and Poland, reiterating that there is no rush to loosen up.

At the same time, Wheeler emphasized that there are encouraging signs that the immunization campaign is beginning to take effect.

“We are seeing the consequences for those over 80 years old. There is a big drop in infections,” he explained.

In late December, Germany began vaccinating the elderly.

Wheeler expressed confidence that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

If “not everything gets completely out of control … we will have control in Germany this fall. I am absolutely convinced,” he said.