50,000 New Infections: Germany's Political Power Vacuum Impedes the Country's Covid Response

• Nov 11, 2021 • Germany crossed 50,000 new daily coronavirus infections for the first time on Thursday, according to the national public health body, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The RKI said Germany reported 50,196 new cases within the past 24 hours. The public health body also registered 235 new deaths from the virus. Germany's number of new cases per 100,000 people over the past week has now risen to 249.1. The institute previously reported on Wednesday 39,676 new cases, which was also a record at the time. The rising cases have alarmed Germany's top health officials and political leaders. Virologist Christian Drosten said the country could witness as many as 100,000 more deaths from the virus and called for urgent action. Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for talks with state premiers to craft a "quick and unified response" to the crisis. Some parts of the country are putting more pressure on unvaccinated citizens. On Monday, Berlin will require a certificate of vaccination or recovery for people entering public venues such as restaurants, gyms and hairdressers.