New coronavirus infections spike in Germany

NEW coronavirus cases are spiking again in Germany after a loosening of social restrictions.

According to the Robert Koch Institute for disease control the reproduction rate, or R, which is the number of people a contaminated person infects, has risen to 1.1.

When it goes above 1, it means the number of infections is growing.

After mounting pressure from leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states to kickstart the economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Wednesday relaxation measures such as a progressive return to school and more shop openings.

She did stress, however, that the moves can be reversed should infections begin to rise again.

Karl Lauterbach, a Social Democrat lawmaker and professor of epidemiology, said in a tweet: “The loosening measures were far too poorly prepared.”