BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany’s coronavirus caseload took its biggest jump in two weeks on Thursday, with over 28,000 new infections, the Robert Koch Institute said, adding heft to worries about restrictions this winter.
The number of new infections per 100,000 people over seven days – one of the metrics used to determine policy measures – stands at 130.2, up 12.2 points from 118.0 the previous day. New infections have been steadily creeping up since mid-October.
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) has risen 15% within a week, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), Gerald Gass, told the Redaktionsnetwork Deutschland media group. If the trend continues, he said, there could be 3,000 cases in the ICU in two weeks. “Even if the hospitals could handle it, it would not be possible without constraints on normal operations,” Gass said. SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach told the Rheinische Post newspaper that lockdowns or school closures were not on the cards, but the decision on whether to lift safety measures such as mask mandates would depend on the situation in spring.
The three political parties in talks to form the next government have said they do not support extending a pandemic-related state of emergency set to expire on Nov. 25.
Instead, they have recommended amending Germany’s Infection Protection Act to allow states to impose protective measures. State leaders fear a patchwork of different regulations in each region could make them harder to enforce. NN: You pay me to be a trusted ADVISOR. I present the facts the best i can. But it you who much decide. I am balanced and fair in my presentations to you. I strive to presents all side of the issues of the day. As far as your health, wealth and freedoms are concerned. You are the captain of your ship, the final inspector, the adult in the room. I am down to 20 dogs. And they are the guardians at the gate. They are well cared for and NEVER abused in any way. They love us and we love them. Their sense of loyalty is amazing. They are NEVER caged and run free. They actually guard us day and night in shifts. Some assigned to the gate. Other take the high ground and others the low. They spread themselves out all over the compound. They naturally guard the housing units… And they know when to guard them and when no one is in them. Its amazing. They never bark for no reason. If it is people coming down the road they regard that as a greater threat and go crazy. We have learned if they bark to use the cameras and scan. We have laser cameras, Night vision cameras and thermal imaging cameras. The problem is they regard a stray dog, or a rabbit as something to bark at. I am your barking dog st the gate. Its you that must decide if its a rabbit or the natives coming to get you with torches and pitch forks. Another wave is coming deadlier and more infectious then the last… Bark bark bark!