The health authority in charge of monitoring the pandemic in the European country registered more than 73,000 new positives this day, with 116 deaths. The figures have been on the rise for several weeks, marking the beginning of a new wave. The voluntary use of masks in closed places may end if the wave of infections soars.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI, for its acronym in German) reported early this Saturday 73,856 new infections of SARS-CoV-2, following an upward trend that worries the authorities ahead of the beginning of autumn in Germany, where the mandatory mask was reintroduced in certain placesa measure that could be extended if the figures worsen.
Currently, the weekly incidence rate in that country rose to 497 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
A day ago, that figure reached 466 cases, a week ago it was 308.9 and a month ago, 237. These numbers, which show a sustained increase in positives for coronavirus, do not accurately reflect reality, according to numerous experts, every time Not all infected people take a PCR test, which is the requirement demanded by the authorities to be included in the statistics. Thus, the number of cases is estimated to be much higher.
The total number of infections a week ago was 46,964, that is, for this Saturday increased by almost 30,000 cases. In addition, there were 116 deaths, 26 more than a week ago. However, it is important to consider that the number of deaths is much more volatile, since it depends on different factors. Meanwhile, the bed occupancy rate for covid patients reached 4.4 percent, and the virus reproduction rate is 1.46, which means that 100 people infect another 146.
The mandatory mask is reintroduced in certain places
Given what the authorities consider to be growing signs of the emergence of a new wave of infections, From this October 1, new rules apply in Germany. For example, the use of a mask will be mandatory in hospitals, medical centers in general and nursing homes. And although the use of a chinstrap is no longer essential on planes, it is recommended to do so and it is possible that, if the situation worsens, the obligation will be reintroduced.
Other regulations vary from state to state; In some regions of Germany, it is still mandatory to wear a mask on public transport and in closed places, while periodic tests are carried out in schools and kindergartens. Since the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020, the German authorities have registered 33,386,229 cases with PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Likewise, 150,064 people have died due to the effects of covid.
The German Minister of Health, the Social Democrat Karl Lauterbach, has reiterated that the pandemic has not come to an end, calling on citizens to self-care.