Germany’s COVID cases soar with authorities issuing urgent crisis warning

Germany is on high alert after the nation recorded its highest single-day increase in new Covid-19 infections ever.

Chancellor Angela Merkel says the “dramatic” situation is the result of the fourth wave “hitting the country with full force”.

Germany’s centre for disease and control has reported 65,000 new cases in the past 24 hours – which is an increase in 12,000 infections day-on-day.

But there are concerns that these case numbers are not a true reflection of just how much virus is in the community – with experts fearing there could be two or three times as many Covid positive residents.

Germany’s low vaccination rate

Germany has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe – with just over 67 percent of the population fully vaxxed.

This has prompted lawmakers to move to impose stricter rules on those who have not been jabbed with the new coalition government approving draft legislation.

The measures will require Germans to wear face masks and provide proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery, or a negative Covid-19 test in order to ride a bus or board a train OR enter certain venues.