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Merkel warns of 'dramatic' coronavirus situation in Germany

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Merkel warns of 'dramatic' coronavirus situation in Germany
Angela Merkel on October 21st. Photo: DPA

Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned of a "highly dynamic" and "dramatic" Covid-19 situation in Germany, according to a German media report.

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During a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) committee meeting on Monday, Merkel reportedly spoke of her concern over the rising coronavirus cases.

According to Bild newspaper, Merkel told the meeting that Germany could soon find itself in a "difficult situation" when it comes to the availability of intensive care beds.

The rise in infections must be stopped urgently, she warned during the discussions. The situation was "highly dynamic" and "dramatic", she reportedly said.

Merkel's chief of staff, Helge Braun, also expressed his worries about the rising infection rates, sources told DPA. The numbers were increasing too fast, he made clear.

Health authorities reported 8,685 new coronavirus infections within a day, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said on Monday morning.

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A week ago, this figure was about half, standing at 4,325. Experience shows that the number of cases is lower on Sundays and Mondays, partly because less testing takes place at weekends, and not all health authorities report numbers to the central system.

On Saturday there was a record 14,714 new cases within 24 hours in Germany. The total number of deaths in Germany since the pandemic began exceeded 10,000 at the weekend.

READ ALSO: Analysis: How and why coronavirus cases are going up around Germany

RKI president Lothar Wieler said last week Germany was facing a "very serious" situation and asked the population to adhere to social distancing measures.

Germany was spared during the first wave of coronavirus infections that hit Europe in spring but is now suffering a sharp increase in cases along with the rest of the continent.

Authorities have tightened measures against the pandemic.

Chancellor Angela Merkel last weekend asked the country to reduce their social contact and stay home as much as possible.

"What winter will be, what our Christmas will be, will be decided in the days and weeks to come," she had warned.

 

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