Record number of new COVID-19 infections reported in Germany

Germany on Thursday reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections since the beginning of the pandemic.

The country’s disease control agency reported 33,949 new cases in the last 24 hours, up from 28,037 daily cases last week, The Associated Press reported. The previous record was 33,777 new cases in December 2020, the news service noted.

The agency also reported 165 deaths on Thursday, which is up from 126 a week ago.

The record-breaking new case numbers come as German Health Minister Jens Spahn is set to meet with the nation’s 16 state health ministers to talk about limiting the spread of the virus as winter approaches. 

While health officials have continued to push residents to get the vaccine, Spahn said Wednesday many could not be convinced, according to the AP. The country has not mandated vaccines for any professional groups, unlike many of its European neighbors. However, regional governments have limited access to some indoor events and facilities to vaccinate people or have received a negative test. 

Despite the lack of vaccine regulation for professions, many are reportedly calling on German leaders to implement mandatory tests in nursing homes after numerous outbreaks were reported, leading to more fatalities. 

“No unvaccinated person should have contact with such a vulnerable group, either professionally or as a visitor,” said Ulrich Weigeldt, head of the German association of family doctors, according to the AP. “This applies to senior citizen homes and nursing homes as well as to intensive care units.”

Overall, 96,192 people have died from COVID-19 in Germany.