Germany‘s coronavirus rate of infection has dropped below the critical threshold of 1, after previously climbing amid the easing of lockdown measures.
The country’s ‘R’ figure – known as the rate of infection – stood at 0.94 on Tuesday.
It will come as a welcome relief for officials after remaining above 1 for three days in a row – meaning the number of new daily infections was on the rise.
Statistics showed the rate was 1.1 on Saturday before climbing to 1.13 on Sunday. It stood at 1.07 yesterday.
‘So far, we do not expect a renewed rising trend,’ the Robert Koch Institute said in its daily report, adding that the overall number of cases in Germany was falling.
The number of new daily cases of coronavirus climbed to 933 across Germany as of Wednesday – nearly three times the 357 recorded the day before
The country’s number of daily deaths was recorded 116 on Wednesday, a rise of fivefold from 22 on Tuesday
The number of new cases of coronavirus climbed to 933 across Germany as of Wednesday – nearly three times the 357 recorded the day before.
The country’s number of daily deaths was recorded 116 on Wednesday, a rise of fivefold from 22 on Tuesday.
The numbers are higher despite the lower R rate because of a statistical lag in recording cases.
The Institute said that the fewer the overall number of infections then the greater the impact of an outbreak, much like those recently reported among slaughterhouses.
Fears had been expressed over Germany’s rate of infection amid the easing of the country’s lockkdown measures.
At least 336 confirmed cases were found among meat workers at the three slaughterhouse plants, with hundreds more results pending, local media DW reported.
The same day pubs, gyms and cafes were allowed to reopen in the most populous state of North-Rhine Westphalia as other states began to allow people to socialise with those outside their homes and for large shops to reopen.
Three outbreaks of coronavirus have been uncovered at slaughterhouses in Germany, with 205 cases reported at a single location (pictured, workers are tested for the virus)
Gyms in the city of Cologne filled up overnight as they were allowed to reopen for the first time in weeks as Germany walks back its lockdown measures
Union representatives claimed most meat workers in Germany are migrants who are housed together in cheap accommodation, making social distancing impossible.
Some 205 cases were uncovered at a single plant in Coesfeld, North-Rhine Westphalia, prompting officials to delay easing lockdown restrictions in that area.
Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed the widespread ease of lockdown restrictions last week following discussions with the leaders of the country’s 16 states.
‘We are at a point where our goal of slowing the spread of the virus has been achieved and we have been able to protect our health system … so it has been possible to discuss and agree on further easing measures,’ Merkel told reporters at the time.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses to media during a press conference on Wednesday. She said the ‘first phase of the coronavirus pandemic is behind us’ as she announced the latest easing of restrictions – but said social distancing measures would remain until at least June 5 while border checks have been extended
Under measures agreed with Germany’s 16 federal state leaders, people from two households will be allowed to meet, and more shops will open, provided hygiene measures are in place. But guidelines on keeping a distance of 1.5 metres and wearing mouth and nose masks on public transport will remain.
More schools will also be allowed to reopen across the country with increased virus testing for children.
Testing firm Centogene said it will be giving pupils at one school in Neustrelitz, in the country’s north, a virus test twice per week.
Results will be provided the same afternoon, allowing them to quickly detect if a child is infected.
A man gets a haircut at a salon in Berlin on Monday, after Germany allowed some shops and schools to re-open at the end of April and start of May
Germany has the sixth-largest COVID-19 caseload in Europe and the seventh-largest in the world.
It has so far seen close to 173,000 confirmed cases of the killer bug, and nearly 7,700 deaths.
The number of deaths pales in comparison to other European countries like the UK (nearly 33,000 deaths), Italy, (around 31,000) and Spain (more than 26,700).
Germany has largely managed to contain fatalities from the highly infectious respiratory disease thanks to widespread and early testing and a healthcare system that is well-run and well-funded.