Federal Government
Lindner and Pistorius have canceled Corona appointments
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (r, FDP) during a meeting of the Federal Cabinet in the Chancellery. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Health Minister Lauterbach expects an increase in corona infections in the fall. Now there are two cases among his ministerial colleagues.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have because of Corona infections appointments canceled. Lindner tested positive for the virus, as the German Press Agency learned from ministry circles yesterday evening. The FDP leader has mild flu symptoms and is now working from home. His appointments for the coming days have been canceled.
It had previously become known that the SPD politician Pistorius would not take part in an international meeting to support Ukraine at the US air force base in Ramstein this Tuesday due to corona illness. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense confirmed this yesterday evening, the “Bild” newspaper had previously reported.
At the US base in Rhineland-Palatinate, senior military officials and defense ministers from numerous countries want to discuss further help for Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
RKI boss: Respiratory infections are increasing
The acting president of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lars Schaade, said yesterday that an increase in respiratory infections, including Covid-19, has been observed for several weeks. That’s not unusual either.
For the first time since the corona pandemic, no state protection rules are planned for the beginning of autumn. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also said on Monday that a large number of cases of infection could be expected again in the fall. But there is broad immunity in the population. “Based on what we currently know, we don’t need any measures in the sense of contact restrictions.”
However, Lauterbach called for recommended booster vaccinations and mutual consideration. “The Covid infection is not a cold, it is no small matter,” said the SPD politician. People over 60 and with previous illnesses should reduce their health risk and have their vaccination protection refreshed. A vaccine from Biontech that is adapted to current virus variants is available in practices. Lauterbach and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also recommended voluntary mask wearing in certain situations.