Germany’s COVID-19 case rate falls below key threshold

Germany’s seven-day rate of COVID-19 cases fell below the threshold of 100 per 100,000 people for the first time since March, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.

The number of new cases reported rose by 11,336, bringing the total to 3,577,040, while the death toll increased by 190 to 85,848. The seven-day incidence fell to 96.5, down from 103.6 on Thursday and almost 126 a week ago.

An incidence rate of 100 new infections per 100,000 people is used as the threshold for imposing a nationwide emergency brake, which includes night-time curfews and limits on private gatherings, as well as the closure of shops. Should the virus incidence fall below this level consistently, restrictions can be relaxed.

With infection levels dropping and Germany’s vaccination campaign picking up speed, Health Minister Jens Spahn last week declared the third wave of the pandemic to finally be broken.

Several German states, including the capital city Berlin, announced plans on Tuesday to loosen coronavirus restrictions in coming days.

Photo: A man wearing a protective face mask walks in front of the Reichstag building, the seat of the German parliament Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany. EPA-EFE/FILIP SINGER