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German Covid infection rate soars as Slovakia reintroduces certain lockdown measures

The country has seen more than 201 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Nov 2021

GERMANY’S COVID-19 infection rate has climbed to its highest recorded level yet as what officials have termed a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” gathers pace.

The national disease control centre, the Robert Koch Institute, said the country has seen 201.1 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days. That was above the previous record of 197.6 from 22 December last year.

While it is still a lower rate than in several other European countries, the figure has set alarm bells ringing.

The seven-day infection rate has long ceased to be the only yardstick for Covid-19 policy in Germany, but officials say hospitals are filling up in badly affected areas.

The disease control centre said today that 15,513 new cases were reported over the past 24 hours – down from a record 37,120 on Friday, but figures are typically lower after the weekend.

Germany has struggled to find ways to pep up its slowing vaccination campaign. At least 67% of the population of 83 million is fully vaccinated, according to official figures, which authorities say is not enough.

Unlike some other European countries, it has balked at making vaccinations mandatory for any professional group.

As at many times during the pandemic, Germany has a patchwork of regional rules. Most places restrict access to many indoor facilities and events to people who have been vaccinated, have recovered or been tested — with the latter now being excluded in some areas. Enforcement of these rules is often lax.

Rules on whether schoolchildren must wear masks in class vary from state to state.

Free rapid tests for all were scrapped nearly a month ago in an effort to incentivise more people to get vaccinated.

There are now widespread calls for them to be reintroduced. And officials now advocate booster vaccinations for everyone who got their initial shots six months ago or more.

Slovakia

Slovakia expanded strict coronavirus restrictions including hotel, bar and restaurant closures to almost a half of the country amid a record surge of infections.

The government is expected to discuss additional measures as the country’s health minister joined medical personnel who treat Covid-19 patients in urging Slovaks to get vaccinated.

“Only vaccination can take us through the pandemic,” health minister Vladimir Lengvarsky said.

The measures will affect 36 of the country’s 79 counties.

Indicative of how fast infections are spreading, only five counties had imposed the measures three weeks ago, and another five a week later.

On top of the hotel, bar and restaurant closures, people will be allowed to only buy takeout meals. 

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    Mute Liz Giltinane
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 2:32 PM

    Bill Gates does amazing work for the third world, so not a bad person to see topping the list.

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    Mute Julian King
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 4:10 PM

    I’m sure he could be doing more if he’s got 59 billion in his account.

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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 4:31 PM

    @Julian – he is givening most of it away to Charities in his will.

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 1:55 PM

    I’m pretty sure theres a couple of electricians working for the ESB that should be on the list…

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    Mute John
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 1:38 PM

    But are they happy….?

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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 1:56 PM

    ya

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    Mute Mike Reid
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 1:57 PM

    Bill looks happy :)

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    Mute Wujashtop
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 4:11 PM

    I’ve met David Koch many times… Nice guy and yes he’s happy.

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    Mute Simon Finglas
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 6:07 PM

    No, but they can cry in their $200m yacht!

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    Mute Angels Spain
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 1:36 PM

    Hmm that can’t be right! Where is the president of Ireland on that list ?????????

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    Mute Thomas Mc Carthy
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 11:21 PM

    You know what is sickening those five people have more than 250 billion of the worlds resources. How many lives could they save, how could they make the world a better place if they gave even half of it away. Everything that’s wrong with the world is manifested in that list, pure greed.

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    Mute Simon Power
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 6:22 PM

    Warren Buffett is also heavily involved in the Gates Foundation and has allowed his name to be put on Obama’s new tax measures that intend to close tax loop holes for the mega wealthy. It will never pass gestation but it has good intentions.

    Lest we also forget that Gates was a ruthless cut throat towards his competitors even by American standards. I guess he wants to repent or polish his legacy or both.

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    Mute Julian King
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 4:56 PM

    No time like the present, why doesn’t he donate ten or twenty billion now, I’m sure he’ll survive.

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    Mute Thomas Mc Carthy
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 11:22 PM

    You the man

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    Mute Aydo
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 2:04 PM

    In all seriousness, who cares?

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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 3:44 PM

    You seem you care – you didn’t have to click the link to the story if you didn’t care

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    Mute ponythegringo
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    Sep 23rd 2011, 2:24 AM

    I can’t believe David Hasselhof didn’t make it into the top ten…?

    He must be drinking more than I thought.

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    Mute Jonathan Hayes
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    Sep 22nd 2011, 6:19 PM

    David Koch only has $25? I might have more!

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