German New Coronavirus Infections Increase the Most in Six Days

(Bloomberg) --

The number of new coronavirus cases in Germany rose by the most in six days as the country prepares to take its biggest steps yet toward a return to normal life.

There were 1,155 additional infections in the 24 hours through Thursday morning, lifting the total to 168,162, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Fatalities rose by 282, the most since April 18, to 7,275.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday announced plans to allow restaurants and all shops to open as the country relaxes measures to contain the virus. Still, social-distancing rules will stay in place until at least June 5, and restrictions may be reinstated locally if hot spots emerge. “We must be careful that things don’t derail,” Merkel said.

Across Europe, economies are moving to ramp up activity amid optimism the worst of the outbreak is over. In Germany, regional authorities will be given greater leeway to decide the pace of the moves. The approach confirms what was happening in practice already as some state leaders jumped the gun with their own plans.

Germany is closely tracking the so-called reproduction factor -- known as R-naught -- which reflects the number of additional coronavirus cases directly generated by one infected person. The goal is to keep that number low to avoid exponential growth and overloading the health-care system.

Germany’s R0 declined to 0.65 from 0.71 the previous day, according to the latest situation report from the country’s public health authority published Wednesday.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.