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AGI – Almost a thousand deaths in 24 hours: the day of its new ‘hard’ blockade, Germany records the highest death toll since the start of the pandemic and a further dramatic increase in infections. According to figures released by the Robert Koch Institut, the German epidemiological center, there are 952 more deaths in the total budget, while there are 27,728 new cases of coronavirus, with an increase of around 7,000 infections compared to a week ago.
ME’ a remarkable jump compared to the 590 deaths last Wednesday, which had made Angela Merkel exclaim with a cracking voice that she was an “unacceptable price” to pay, a record then surpassed by the 598 victims two days later.
In certain areas of Germany, the situation is particularly dramatic: In Saxony, in the Erzgebirge area on the border with the Czech Republic, an incidence of shock was recorded with 550 infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, with 1,560 positive swabs out of 3,000 swabs performed in the last seventh, that is , more than 50%. With strong repercussions in the hospitals: two days ago in the whole Land only 177 intensive care places were free of 1516. It was the same chancellor, last Sunday, when he admitted that “The measures implemented so far are not enough”.
Hence the decision to go through a ‘soft’ lockdown to the ‘hard’ lockdown that is starting now, destined to end the second wave of contagioni: shops and mainly schools and kindergartens are closed, companies are asked to promote smart work at the highest level, a ‘ceiling’ of five people from two families has been established for private meetings, excluding children under 14 years. Only on the days of the Christmas holidays will it be possible to meet four people in addition to your own close family unit.
Also the prospect of a quick start to the wide vaccination campaign, which should start immediately after Christmas (there are 60 vaccination centers ready throughout the country) does not lead the government to foresee that the distancing rules will be waived.
“The fact that we start with the vaccines, right after Christmas, does not mean that the rules are no longer necessary,” insisted Health Minister Jens Spahn, “we will need them well into next year.” Spahn, however, is optimistic about the possibility that some normality is possible for the summer: “It’s a realistic perspective.”
Obviously, vaccination is also a topic at the center of public debate in Germany. Problem the federal government is tackling first-hand: for tomorrow An interview of the Chancellor with the top management of BioNTech is planned, the Mainz-based company that developed the first anti-Covid vaccine together with the US giant Pfizer to which EMA, the European pharmaceutical agency, should give ‘the green light’.
In addition, responding to questions from deputies, Merkel reiterated that the federal government “does not intend to introduce the vaccination obligation”, while the Health Ministry has announced that it will implement a regulation on vaccination priorities in Germany. “The goal will be to first vaccinate those who are particularly at risk, that is, those who care for others,” said a spokesman for the department that Spahn heads.
Overall, Germany’s goal is a kind of mass immunity That can be achieved – Merkel recalled today in the Bundestag – by vaccinating “at least 65-70% of the population.” But, explains the chancellor, if more than 40% or 50% of Germans do not agree to be vaccinated “Then we will have to wear a mask for a long time”.
Meanwhile, Germany closes its doors. In theory, the recently initiated lockdown will remain valid until January 10. The president of the Robert Koch Institut, Lothar Wieler, reiterated the call to minimize social contacts even in the days between Christmas and New Year. Among other measures, events and gatherings in public are also suspended, while the bans on fireworks will be decided by individual municipalities, even if the sale of pyrotechnic devices is still prohibited in the days before the New Year, this too to prevent hospitals from getting even worse.
Blocking all retail, with the sole exclusion of groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, auto mechanics, banks, post offices, and Christmas tree vendors. Lowered shutters also for hairdressers, restaurants, cafes and bars, only home delivery and take away are allowed. In places of worship, religious ceremonies are allowed only if the minimum distance of one and a half meters between the faithful is guaranteed. Among the most debated measures, the fact that they have been sing in the church forbidden– Even here, masks are still a must.
