German coronavirus infections attain new excessive, stricter measures deliberate

(Reuters) – Germany’s coronavirus infection rate has soared to its highest level since the pandemic began, public health figures showed on Monday as the three parties plan to expand measures to combat the pandemic in talks to form a new government.

The seven-day incidence rate – the number of people per 100,000 who became infected in the past week – rose from 289 the previous day to 303, figures from the Robert Koch Institute showed on Monday.

The number of deaths rose by 43 to a total of 97,715.

The three parties in talks on a coalition plan to tighten the proposed measures to combat the spread of the new wave of infections, said Greens co-leader Robert Habeck, before their plans go into parliament on Thursday.

“We are expanding the toolbox compared to the proposals made in the first reading,” Habeck told ARD.

The measures will include contact restrictions, a change seen by Reuters showed.

On Saturday, three German health ministers called on the negotiating parties to form a new government to extend the powers of states to implement stricter pandemic measures such as bans or school closings.