The German health authorities have reported 952 new corona deaths and 27,728 new infections – including possible late reports from the previous days. A ray of hope: Health Minister Spahn announced vaccinations for the coming week.
The German health authorities reported 952 new deaths related to the corona virus to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day. In addition, 27,728 new infections were recorded. According to the RKI, the numbers could also contain post-reported numbers from Saxony, which were still missing in Tuesday’s data.
A week ago, 20,815 new infections and 590 deaths were reported by the health authorities. The previous highs of 29,875 reported cases and 598 deaths were reached on Friday.
The total number of people who died with or with a proven infection with the coronavirus now stands at 23,427. According to the RKI, corona deaths are counted as those in which infection with the virus was the cause of the death or, through previous illnesses, it is likely that the death is directly related to the corona virus.
Maximum at seven-day incidence
The seven-day incidence, which is important when assessing the corona situation, also reached a new high of 179.8 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. The missing data from Saxony only influenced the value slightly, according to the RKI.
In order to contain the pandemic, a tough lockdown began in Germany today. Apart from grocery stores and other shops for daily needs, the retail trade is now closed until January 10th, schools and daycare centers are also largely closed.
Health Minister Jens Spahn also announced that vaccinations against the corona virus could start next week in Germany. Accordingly, a first vaccine will be approved in the EU before Christmas Eve. After that you can start vaccinating within two to four days, said Spahn on Tuesday evening in the tagesthemen.
In Germany, the vaccination centers and vaccination structures are already operational. In a first step, after approval, “around 400,000 doses could be delivered,” said Spahn. Two doses are required per person.
Restrictions until well into next year
Nevertheless, Spahn expects that the restrictions will persist well into next year. “Just because we start vaccinating very soon after Christmas, that doesn’t mean that all the rules are no longer necessary,” said Spahn in an interview with RTL and ntv TV channels.
Only when a vaccination quota of 55 to 65 percent of the population is reached, further lockdowns can be ruled out. The first “five million vaccinations” would not be enough. From the summer we can return to normal step by step, “said Spahn.
The chairman of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, also expects the lockdown in Germany to be extended beyond January 10th. Model calculations showed that the seven-day incidence would not drop below 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants before the end of January, Montgomery told the Funke media group. The citizens would therefore have to be prepared for various lockdown measures until Easter.
