Live blog
Status: 04.07.2021 05:37 a.m.
The decline in the nationwide seven-day incidence, which has persisted for weeks, has come to an end for the time being, according to figures from the Robert Koch Institute. The Green Chancellor candidate Baerbock calls for air filter systems for all schools. All developments in the live blog.
- RKI: Seven-day incidence increases slightly to 5.0
- Baerbock calls for air filter systems for all schools
- Virologist Brinkmann proposes a new test concept for schools
05:37 am
Cyprus and Catalonia are risk areas as of today
With Cyprus and the Spanish region of Catalonia, two more holiday destinations are on the list of corona risk areas from today. In addition, three other regions in Spain and Norway are now considered risk areas, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Friday. However, the step has hardly any factual effects for holidaymakers, since air travelers have to be tested on arrival anyway and the quarantine obligation is no longer applicable. However, the classification as a risk area means that the Federal Foreign Office advises against traveling there.
Countries and regions in which the infections per 100,000 inhabitants are over 50 in seven days (7-day incidence) are classified as risk areas. It’s the lowest risk level. No additional countries or regions were classified in the two higher categories of high incidence and virus variant areas. As of today, only one region in Croatia, Qatar and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Aruba have been removed from the risk list in Europe.
04:33 am
RKI: Seven-day incidence increases slightly to 5.0
The decline in the nationwide seven-day incidence of new corona infections, which has been going on for weeks, has come to an end for the time being. As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced, citing information from the health authorities, the value was 5.0 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. On Saturday it had dropped to 4.9, on Friday it was 5.0 and on Sunday last week it was 5.7.
According to the RKI, 559 new corona infections and seven deaths related to the virus were registered within 24 hours. The total number of corona infections recorded in Germany since the beginning of the pandemic is around 3.7 million, the number of corona deaths is 91,030. The RKI states that the number of people recovered from a corona infection is around 3.6 million. As a rule, the number of new infections on the weekend and on Monday is lower than the weekly average, because fewer tests are carried out on the weekends and fewer test results are transmitted.
03:31 am
Baerbock calls for air filter systems for all schools
The Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock calls for massive investments to arm all schools in Germany against the corona virus. “An air filter system must be made available for every classroom in this country,” she says in an interview with the Funke media group, according to a preliminary report. “Yes, that costs money. But I do not accept that we will find ourselves again in a situation where some of the children have to study from home just because no provision has been made,” said Baerbock.
02:14 am
Pandemic hinders the integration of refugees
The corona pandemic is having a negative impact on the training of refugees. That is the result of a survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) among 70 business organizations, which the Funke media group has received according to a preliminary report. 60 percent of those surveyed state that refugees are more affected by the effects of the corona pandemic than their colleagues without a history of escape. Around every third organization surveyed reported a lack of technical equipment, which inhibits the refugee trainees. Around one in four organizations reports that language skills were barely promoted during the pandemic and that the limited opportunities for exchange had a detrimental effect on progress in integration.
02:06 am
Punishment required for truant vaccinations
Coalition politicians want to prosecute citizens who do not keep their vaccination appointments. “It would be right if there were a penalty for those who do not even cancel their appointment,” said SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach of “Bild am Sonntag” according to a preliminary report. “Because these missed appointments mean that we vaccinate more slowly than we could and that we have to throw away the vaccine.” The Union parliamentary group deputy in the Bundestag, Thorsten Frei (CDU), demanded: “Anyone who is too comfortable to pick up the phone or cancel an appointment with just a few clicks should have to pay for the costs incurred.”
12:16 am
Virologist Brinkmann proposes a new test concept for schools
The virologist Melanie Brinkmann calls for a new corona test concept for schools. The Delta variant will “rush through schools very quickly after the summer holidays if we don’t take precautions,” she told the editorial network in Germany. Instead of less precise rapid antigen tests, the scientist at the Braunschweig Helmholtz Center for Infection Research advocates the increased use of so-called lollipop tests or gurgle tests. “That saves costs and can be evaluated using PCR,” explained the virologist.
In addition, according to Brinkmann, masks should be worn to reduce the risk of infection. Fans directly in the window panes are also a good solution. In her own words, she believes that every classroom throughout Germany has an individually tailored ventilation system until after the holidays. “Without additional measures, the infections will increase again, there will be quarantine loops, as can already be seen in Great Britain’s schools,” said Brinkmann.