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The number of registered deaths related to the coronavirus has skyrocketed to a new record. In one day, German health authorities transmitted 952 new deaths to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), according to RKI figures from Wednesday morning. In addition, 27,728 new infections were recorded. However, Tuesday’s data did not contain figures for Saxony, so the new figures could also contain late records, as stated. Last Wednesday (December 9), 20,815 new infections and 590 deaths were reported. Previous highs of 29,875 reported cases and 598 deaths were reached on Friday.
The trend in the number of daily deaths had recently increased, which was also expected after the sharp increase in new infections. On Tuesday, the number of recently reported deaths was 500 and thus, even without the missing Saxon data, the third highest value since the start of the pandemic. The total number of people who died with or with a proven Sars-CoV-2 infection rose to 23,427 as of Wednesday.
The incidence of 7 days, decisive to assess the situation – new infections reported per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days – also reached a new high of 179.8. On Tuesday this value was 173.7. The missing data from Saxony only slightly influenced the value, according to the RKI.
The RKI has counted 1,379,238 infections detected with Sars-CoV-2 in Germany since the start of the pandemic (until December 16, 00:00). Around 1,025,000 people are estimated to have recovered.
The seven-day R-value nationwide was 1.06 based on Monday’s RKI management report (previous day: 1.12). This means that, in theory, 100 infected people infect 106 more people. On Tuesday night, the RKI gave a value of 0.98, but it can only be used in a limited way due to data that is still pending. The value represents the onset of the infection 8 to 16 days ago. Only when it is below 1 for a longer period does it decrease.
Armin Laschet: Lockdown “hold on until the goal is reached”
According to the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU), the lockdown in Germany should last until the number of new infections is significantly reduced. “We have to hold out until the goal of significantly reducing incidence is achieved,” Laschet says. Publishing network Germany. The economic consequences of the restrictions are not in the foreground. “The protection of health and the protection of life have priority. It is about preventing a national health emergency.” Health authorities at the national level must again be able to trace the contacts of infected people.
The nationwide lockdown begins this Wednesday
The harsh blockade has started in Germany to curb the spread of the corona virus. As of this Wednesday, the corresponding regulations will apply in the federal states until January 10. Retail stores have to close, exceptions only apply to stores that meet daily needs. Schools remain closed or compulsory attendance is suspended. Hairdressers and other service providers in the personal care industry can no longer open.
With the tough restrictions, the federal and state governments want to break the wave of new infections in Germany. The goal is to bring the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants to a maximum of 50 in one week to make contact tracking possible again.
Starting this Wednesday, private gatherings will initially be limited to your own home and one other person. A maximum of five people can meet. Children up to 14 years old are not counted. A special rule applies only from December 24 to 26. “In the closest family circle, meetings with 4 people beyond their own home (plus children up to 14 years old) are possible, even if this means more than two households or 5 people over 14 years old,” writes the federal government on their website.
The exact design is a matter for the federal states, which regulate it accordingly in their respective Crown ordinances. General: Schools are closed or compulsory attendance is suspended. Emergency care is guaranteed and distance education is offered. Nurseries are also closed. Emergency care is possible. In retail, there are exceptions for grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) agreed on these drastic steps with the prime ministers of all 16 federal states on Sunday in light of the rapid increase in the number of infections. They are initially limited to January 10. On January 5, the federal and state governments want to take stock together and advise on the next route.
Spahn: vaccination begins before the turn of the year
A day before the national lockdown came into effect, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and Robert Koch Institute President Lothar Wieler spoke in Berlin about the “Corona situation before Christmas.” Do your best to get a vaccine approved as soon as possible, Spahn said. “We are not doing an emergency approval, but a proper approval.” It’s also about gaining and maintaining confidence in the vaccine. Spahn announced that he wanted to continue down the European path, not the national one. The European Medicines Agency is responsible for approval. “We want to start vaccinating before the turn of the year,” Spahn said.
The EMA wants to present its report on the approval of the corona vaccine of the companies Biontech and Pfizer on December 21, eight days earlier than last scheduled. The authority announced Tuesday after Spahn’s press conference in Amsterdam. The approval of the EU Commission is considered secure. In fact, the vaccine could be approved for the EU before Christmas.
“We have managed to break the wave of infections,” but the number of infections, particularly the number of deaths, is still too high, Spahn said, defending the federal and state government’s decision to close until January 10. “We saw a third wave begin to build up before the second waned.”
RKI President Lothar Wieler once again expressed concern about the infection: “The situation is more serious than ever in this pandemic.” The number of infections and deaths is too high. “Too many people are infected right now,” Wieler said, adding: “We have to be prepared for the situation to get worse again at Christmas.” The fact that the number of infections is so high right now is “the result of some people’s carelessness,” Wieler said.
The number of deaths and new infections from coronavirus remains at a high level. The German health authorities have sent 14,432 new cases and 500 deaths in one day to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), as the RKI announced this Tuesday morning. As RKI chief Wieler said at the press conference, these values do not include current data for Saxony. These would be added on Wednesday.
On Tuesday of the previous week, 14,054 new infections and 423 deaths were reported. The highs of 29,875 reported cases and 598 deaths were reached on Friday. Tuesday’s 500 deaths mark the third highest number since the pandemic began.
With its relatively old population structure, Germany is particularly at risk in the second wave, as Wieler said. There are about 23 million people over the age of 60 in this country. Age is still the decisive criterion. The older a patient with a crown, the greater the risk of death.
Corona tests for returning travelers are now paid
Corona tests for travelers returning from risk areas with a high number of infections abroad are no longer free from this Wednesday. This claim, which was filed in the summer, expired on Tuesday, according to an ordinance recently announced by the Federal Ministry of Health. So far, these vacationers have been able to take the free trial to shorten the mandatory quarantine when they return to Germany.
This will further toughen regulations. Anyone who makes an “avoidable trip” to risk areas will no longer receive compensation for lost income during the time of quarantine. The exceptions are “exceptional circumstances” such as the birth of one’s own children or the death of close relatives. A federally owned Robert Koch Institute (RKI) list indicates which countries are considered risk areas for German vacationers.
Big rush in pharmacies due to FFP2 masks
Since Tuesday, around 27 million people from corona-risk groups in Germany have been able to receive their first free FFP2 masks. This has already caused a huge avalanche in many pharmacies. “All hell is happening here,” said the president of the Chamber of Pharmacists in Schleswig-Holstein, Kai Christiansen, the German Press Agency. In his two pharmacies in Gelting and Steinbergkirche (both in the Schleswig-Flensburg district) alone, almost 600 customers received around 1,800 FFP2 masks in the morning. “We normally have 200 clients a day,” Christiansen said. Other pharmacists also reported huge crowds. “People are queuing.”
Also in many pharmacies in Bayern the rush was great. While some companies were able to supply all of the collectors, according to the Bavarian Pharmacists Association (BAV), several owners reported Tuesday morning that the supplies had been used up. A BAV spokesman said the cause was the “very short delivery time” from pharmacies. There are also delays in deliveries from manufacturers.
In North Rhine-Westphalia The subject of FFP2 masks got off to a good start according to the assessment of the pharmacists’ associations. “Some of the patients are very happy and grateful that they now have a mask on their hands that gives them the best possible protection,” said Thomas Preis, director of the North Rhine Pharmacists Association. Long lines formed in some places, he reported. The vast majority of pharmacies were able to “master the logistics masterpiece” in a very short time and provide enough masks for the initial demand, said Nina Grunsky, spokeswoman for the Westphalia-Lippe Pharmacists Association. Pharmacies would only be waiting for supplies in isolated cases. According to the pharmacist associations, more deliveries are expected soon.
Until January 6, people over the age of 60 and people with certain chronic conditions will receive three masks for free. In the second step, starting on January 1, you can receive twelve more skins. FFP2 masks are particularly effective at filtering particles from inhaled or exhaled air, but they also don’t offer 100 percent protection.
