The share of people in Germany who are worried about the threat of COVID-19 has increased to 40%, according to a poll published Friday by German broadcaster ZDF.
The growing concern — up from a share of 30% in May and 34% in June — comes as coronavirus cases rise once again. The number of recorded cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days reached almost 720 on Friday.
Experts believe the number is likely higher since many of those infected are no longer taking official PCR tests.
With the rise in cases, as well as the rise in patients needing intensive care, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in an interview with the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel on Friday that he recommends everyone talk to their doctor about the option of getting a second booster vaccine.
The EU earlier in the week recommended booster vaccines for all people aged over 60. Germany has been giving second booster shots to over-70s already.
But the health minister would also “recommend the vaccine to young people if agreed with their family physician.”
He told the magazine that a second booster gives “a quite different security” since it significantly reduces the risk of infection for several months as well as reducing the risk of getting long COVID.
