Germany logs over 100,000 COVID cases for first time

Berlin, Jan 19: Germany reported 112,323 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the latest new 24-hour record and the first daily tally north of 100,000. The national disease control body, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), published the figures early in the morning.

The country's weekly incidence rate has now reached 584.4 new infections per 100,000 people over a seven-day period, the RKI reported.

Omicron takes hold

The omicron variant was comparatively slow to start spreading in Germany by European standards, but in recent weeks, the country has experienced an increase in case numbers similar to those seen in several nearby countries such as France, the Netherlands and the UK.

As of this week, omicron accounts for over 70% of new cases across Germany.

Germany has tightened restrictions in recent days to curb the spread of the virus, limiting access to bars and restaurants to those who have received their booster jabs or who are tested, in addition to already being fully vaccinated or recovered.

On Monday night, tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany, as citizens vented their frustrations over the country's coronavirus measures.

Source: DW