[ad_1]
Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, October 31, report: German epidemic drastically worsens, Merkel calls on people to take responsibility
Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Yirong
Since October, the new corona epidemic in Germany has deteriorated dramatically. The latest data released by the Robert Koch Institute of the German disease control agency on October 31 showed that at 0:00 on that day, Germany had 19,059 new confirmed cases the day before, setting a new record for the highest number. of new cases in a single day since the outbreak. So far, Germany has confirmed a total of 518,753 cases and a total of 10,452 deaths.
According to the latest daily report from the institute, the current 7-day infection rate in Germany is 104.9, meaning the number of newly diagnosed people per 100,000 people nationwide is 104.9. According to government regulations, the 7-day infection rate must be controlled below 50 to ensure that cases of infection can be traced. Otherwise, as the number of infections increases exponentially, the healthcare system will become overloaded within a few weeks and the number of serious deaths will increase significantly.
On March 28, Germany set a record of 6,294 newly diagnosed cases in a single day at that time. Since then, the data has gradually decreased, but began to rebound in July. Since October 15, the daily growth record has been constantly updated, and on October 22 this data exceeded 10,000. In response to the epidemic, the German government recently decided to implement a new round of prevention and control measures across the country from the beginning of November to avoid falling into a health emergency.
Germany’s federal and state governments reached an agreement on October 28 to implement stricter national restrictions again from November 2. By then, restaurants, bars, theaters, playgrounds, gyms, beauty salons and other catering, cultural and sports facilities will be closed for a month. People are required to minimize contact with people other than family members, and no more than 2 households with 10 people can meet in public places. People are also advised to give up unnecessary trips and visits.
However, unlike in the spring, the restaurant’s hairdressing and take-out services will not be affected. Retail and wholesale stores can operate in hygienic and flow-limiting conditions. Professional sporting events can be held without on-site spectators, and schools and kindergartens may also operate in various states. Stay open in accordance with local epidemic prevention policies and regulations.
German Chancellor Merkel presented a government report on the new round of prevention and control measures to the Bundestag on October 29. He said Germany is about to face a “harsh four-month winter” and that people should “support, cooperate and help each other.” She said: “Freedom is not doing what we want, now freedom is responsibility.” Being responsible with yourself, with your family, with your colleagues and with everyone is “the only way to survive this historical crisis.”
Merkel said the policy agreed between the federal government and the states is “appropriate, necessary and in line with the current epidemic”, and there is no more moderate anti-epidemic policy than the current “comprehensive and systematic reduction of contacts.” He emphasized that giving up any contact that is not absolutely necessary is at the core of the response to the current epidemic, and the government’s goal is to reduce all types of contacts between people by 75%.
In some places where the epidemic is particularly severe, such as parts of Bavaria, more stringent regional closures have been implemented. In addition to closing restaurants and leisure facilities, local schools and kindergartens have also called for the suspension of classes, and residents should not leave their homes without reasonable and necessary reasons. .
The German Medical Association issued a statement on October 29 that the new round of restrictions introduced by the government is a “major brake” to curb the current rapid increase in the number of infected people. The statement also called for Germany’s urgent need for a protection plan specifically for high-risk groups.
The shortage of critically ill nurses is currently a major problem. The German Professional Nursing Association recently issued a statement warning that while Germany currently has around 40,000 intensive care beds, of which 30,000 are equipped with respiratory equipment, conditions are better than in other European countries. However, as the number of seriously ill patients with new coronary disease increases, due to the lack of sufficient professionals Nursing staff, in the future, not all critically ill patients can receive professional care.
