Two ministers in Germany test positive for the coronavirus – What “Robert Koch” says about the increase in infections

An increase in respiratory infections, including Covid-19, but within the expected range, it has been found in recent weeks, according to the Robert Koch Institute. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Finance Minister Christian Lindner have also tested positive for the coronavirus.

As explained by the vice-president of the Institute, Lars Saade, the increase in respiratory infections is not unusual for the season and so far the severity of the cases has not overburdened the health system. Indicatively, only 1.2% of beds in Intensive Care Units are currently occupied by patients with Covid-19.

Yesterday, Monday, and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said that he expects a large increase in cases in the fall, assuring at the same time that the Germany she is well prepared. “We are monitoring the situation and there is already a degree of immunity in a large part of the population,” he explained, adding that “we do not need specific contact restriction measures, at least based on what we know so far, but it remains a recommendation to wear a mask in crowded situations ».

However, the Minister of Health stressed that vaccination remains the best protection and recommended that people over 60 and vulnerable groups be vaccinated. Mr. Lauterbach himself, 60, was vaccinated yesterday at the military hospital in Berlin. The new, updated BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine is also available since yesterday.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced that he will not take part in the Defense Ministers’ meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine, which is being held at the Ramstein base today, as he has tested positive for the coronavirus, while Finance Minister Christian Lindner will also work in the coming days from his home after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to the Athens News Agency.