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Chronology 2020: Germany and the Corona Pandemic

The Coronavirus outbreak has led to dramatic developments in Germany. This is what happened from January 16th, 2020, just before the first German tested positive in Bavaria, to December 31st, 2020.

Link to the new chronology for 2021:
Chronology: Germany and the Corona Pandemic 2021

Thursday, December 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,741,153 (09:00 a.m. CET)

The number of new Corona infections per day is still very high, but it is unclear how much late reporting contributes to them, a few days after Christmas. In Berlin, the Robert Koch Institute reports 32,552 new cases and 946 related deaths.

A new issue Germany is facing is a shortage of vaccine doses. Deliveries that had been promised to the federal states will be delayed, according to several sources. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller wants to put the subject on the agenda of the next Corona Conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel on January 5th, 2021.

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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,692,109 (09:00 a.m. CET)

For the first time in the crisis, more than 1,000 Corona-related deaths within 24 hours are being reported in Germany. The exact number is 1,129. Other numbers, for instance that of new Corona infections per day, are dropping slowly.

But the strict lockdown that was put in place on December 16th will likely be prolonged. Several First Ministers say there was no other way. On January 5th, Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the situation with the First Ministers.

Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,672,643 (08:40 a.m. CET)

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 852 Corona patients have died in Germany within 24 hours. This is one of the highest numbers of Corona-related deaths per day since the crisis started. The number of new infections is 12,892. It remains to be seen whether the number will increase again on Wednesday, as usual.

On the second day of Corona vaccinations, the situation at the only operational vaccination center in Berlin was rather calm. Within one our, seven police officers and twelve other individuals entered the center, while vaccination teams visited foster and retirement homes.

Monday, December 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,658,639 (08:10 a.m. CET)

The number of Corona-related deaths in Germany exceeds 30,000. Because of Christmas and the weekend, less new infection cases are being reported.

Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly hinted the ongoing lockdown needs to be prolonged until March. Several First Ministers make similar statements.

Health Minister Jens Spahn dismisses calls according to which vaccinated persons should have privileges. In an interview with ‘Funke Mediengruppe’, he dismisses calls for special rights for people who already got vaccinations. Spahn states nobody should ask for privileges until everybody had had the chance to get vaccinated.

Sunday, December 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,646,240 (09:30 a.m. CET)

On the first day of Corona vaccinations in Germany, it turns out some individuals in Saxony-Anhalt were vaccinated a day before, on the 26th. Edith Kwoizalla, a 101-year-old lady, was the first German to be vaccinated. The director in her retirement home did not want to wait.

Health Minister Spahn says vaccinations were the key to defeating the Corona pandemic. People who decided to be vaccinated would save lives.

Saturday, December 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,632,736 (08:50 a.m. CET)

The comparatively low number of new infections published today, 14,455 according to the Robert Koch Institute, has to do with the fact that many health authorities in Germany do not report cases on Sundays or holidays.

In Berlin, doctors and soldiers will be involved in administering Germany’s first Corona vaccinations. Forty teams were going to visit nursing homes on Sunday. Next week, the number of vaccination teams is supposed to grow to 60. Hospital staff members need to go to a vaccination center to be vaccinated.

Friday, December 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,630,596 (07:50 a.m. CET)

The new Coronavirus variant identified in the United Kingdom has reached Germany. According to the Health Ministry of Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart, a lady brought it in when she flew from Heathrow Airport in London to Frankfurt, in order to visit relatives in Freudenstadt. She is now in quarantine with her contact persons.

Germany’s Seven Day Incidence Number 188.8 from 196.2. Saxony is Germany’s Corona hotspot with alarming numbers.

Thursday, December 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,604,129 (07:45 a.m. CET)

The Robert Koch Institute reports 32,195 new Corona infections and 802 Corona-related deaths within 24 hours. In 27 cities and counties, all ICU beds are occupied. Germany’s Seven Day Incidence Number stands at 196.2. In other words: Things are not improving.

The head of Germany’s Association of Intensive Care Physicians, Uwe Janssens, told the ‘Rheinische Post’ daily family visits during Christmas could lead to a third Corona wave in January. 

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,570,371 (08:07 a.m. CET)

In Berlin, the Robert Koch Institute reports the highest number of Corona-related deaths within 24 hours, namely 962. The number of new infections per day decreased slightly, compared to a week ago.

According to Germany’s Commerce Minister Peter Altmaier, the situation rules out an easing of the Corona restrictions. He calls the country “a giant hotspot”.

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,534,218 (08:07 a.m. CET)

The Health Ministry in Berlin stops flights, trains, buses and ships from the United Kingdom and South Africa by decree, because of a newly identified variant of the Coronavirus. For now, the measure is valid until January 6th, 2021. Health Minister Jens Spahn says the step had been taken as a precaution. The measure would be in place until Germany knew more about the new Corona mutation.

Monday, December 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,514,962 (07:48 a.m. CET)

A new entry ban for travelers coming from the United Kingdom has created issues at German airports. The ban was put in place because of a new, more aggressive mutation of the Coronavirus that is spreading on parts of England. Today, the measure is supposed to be extended to all travelers from the U.K., no matter which means of transport they use.

In the meantime, Corona deniers in Berlin staged yet another protest on Sunday, while Corona patients were dying at hospitals two miles away.

Sunday, December 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,508,518 (06:33 a.m. CET)

Four days into the new, stricter lockdown, there is no improvement. In Germany, the total number of Corona infections since the crisis began exceeded 1.5 million. The country’s Seven Day Incidence Number just rose to 190. It is supposed to drop to below 50.

In Berlin, things are not improving either. The city state’s Incidence Number increased again, to 208.9. Now eight of the German capital’s districts exceeded 200. In Reinickendorf, it is moving towards the 300 mark. on Saturday, the level was 292.4. As many as 1,521 Corona patients are now being treated at Berlin’s hospitals, a total of 1,001 have died since the crisis began in January.

Germany announces an entry ban for travelers coming from the United Kingdom because of a mutated Coronavirus version that seems to be spreading in south-western England. A flight ban will be put in place at midnight. Other European countries, including the Netherlands, take similar moves. The E.U. as a whole intends to follow.

Saturday, December 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,486,839 (09:15 a.m. CET)

The Robert Koch Institute in Berlin reports yet another record number of new Corona infections. In the past 24 hours, 31,300 cases were registered. Germany’s Seven Day Incidence Number reached its highest level as well. It now stands at 189.6. Within Germany, Saxony is the main Corona hotspot now. The federal state’s Incidence Number is above 400. In Berlin, it reached 200 again.

Hospitals in some regions are starting to send Corona patients to other clinics because their ICUs are full, or because they are close to that kind of situation. Experts believe the tense situation will improve in March or April.

Friday, December 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,454,009 (08:40 a.m. CET)

For the second time in a row, Germany has registered more than 30,000 new Corona infection cases within 24 hours. The country’s Seven Day Incidence Number increased to 184.8.

In some federal states, the situation at hospitals is deteriorating because of the steady increase of Corona patients and due to infected staff members. Brandenburg just asked Berlin to accept dozens of its patients.

Thursday, December 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,423,830 (08:55 a.m. CET)

On the second day of Germany’s new, stricter lockdown, the Corona infection numbers and the number of Corona-related deaths remain high.

The federal state of Saxony is considering unprecedented steps. It might cordon off areas with extremely high infection numbers. Extending the nightly curfews, which are in place already, is another option the government in Dresden is discussing. Two counties in Saxony reported Seven Day Incidence Numbers higher than 600. Bavaria has one county with a comparable level of new infection.

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,391,086 (08:40 a.m. CET)

Germany reports 952 Corona-related deaths within 24 hours. It is the highest number since the crisis commenced in January. The Director of the Robert Koch Institute, Professor Lothar Wieler, expects a further escalation of the situation in the coming weeks.

A new, stricter lockdown kicks in in Germany today. Many shops are closed. So are schools and kindergartens. In some federal states, people need valid reasons to leave their homes. In some, there are nightly curfews.

On Tuesday, thousands of Berliners used their last opportunity to purchase Christmas presents in shops at and around Kurfürstendamm.

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,357,261 (08:40 a.m. CET)

In North Rhine-Westphalia, 53 vaccination centers are ready to go, even though the European Medicines Agency has not even approved the vaccination by the German company Biontech and its American affiliate Pfizer.

On this last day before the strict lockdown the German government announced, city centers will likely be full of shoppers who will use their last opportunity to purchase Christmas presents offline.

Monday, December 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,350,810 (08:30 a.m. CET)

Germany’s strict lockdown is two days away. In spite of the fact that supermarkets and other kinds of retail businesses will remain open, some of them were extremely full in Berlin on Monday morning.

The new Corona rules, as they were announced on Sunday, have partially been interpreted and changed by some of Germany’s federal states. In some cases, states applied stricter rules, including nightly curfews.

Sunday, December 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,336,101 (07:45 a.m. CET)

Angela Merkel and the First Ministers announce tightened Corona restrictions. Most retail businesses will close from December 16th. So will schools. The contact restrictions remain in place, meaning up to five persons from up to two households may gather. From December 24th to 26th, up to ten individuals may come together. This is limited to direct relatives and life partners. Consuming alcohol in public and the sale of fireworks and firecrackers are forbidden.

More than 20,000 new Corona infections were reported in the past 24 hours. Considering the reporting stalls on the weekend, that number is extremely high.

Saturday, December 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,314,309 (09:00 a.m. CET)

The Corona situation in Germany is “out of control”, according to the Interior Minister of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Thomas Strobl. Germany’s Commerce Minister Peter Altmaier says a loss of control was imminent. Whatever it is: Something will have to happen.

On Sunday morning, Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the implications of the alarming number of new Corona infections with the First Ministers. Strict measures will definitely follow within days.

Friday, December 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,287,092 (08:20 a.m. CET)

In spite of all anti-Corona measures, Germany reports another record number of new infections within 24 hours. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the number is 29,875.

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller, who also heads the Conference of First Ministers, says in a TV interview, a stricter lockdown could be put in place from December 20th, 2020, to January 1st, 2021.

The number of Corona-related deaths hit a sad record as well. As many as 598 Corona patients died within one single day.

Thursday, December 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,254,358 (08:40 a.m. CET)

The numbers are still exploding. According to the Robert Koch Institute, there were 23,679 new Corona infections within 24 hours. In the same time period, 440 Corona patients died. The total number of Corona-related deaths doubled within six weeks, while infections almost tripled.

Angela Merkel wants a strict lockdown right after Christmas. Her demand is being supported by Markus Söder, the First Minister of Bavaria.

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,229,269 (09:00 a.m. CET)

Germany reports the highest number of Corona-related deaths it has had since the crisis began in January. As many as 590 Corona patients passed away within 24 hours. The number of new infections does not really decrease either.

Saxony announces stricter measures that will be put in place on Monday. Germany’s Health Minister Spahn and the First Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, demand a tightening of restrictions after Christmas.

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,200,006 (07:45 a.m. CET)

Because of high infection numbers, the federal state of Saxony seems to want to tighten its Corona rules. German media reports suggest, a decision might be taken on Friday. By Monday, new rules might be implemented.

A tightening of the Corona restrictions could happen in all of Germany. Health Minister Jens Spahn says this kind of step might become necessary if the numbers do not drop by Christmas. In an interview with Phoenix TV, Spahn did not rule out closing down retail businesses again.

Monday, December 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,194,550 (09:10 a.m. CET)

While Bavaria is tightening its Corona restrictions, neighboring Austria is easing them. The country managed to decrease its number of new Corona infections per day by half during a strict three-week lockdown. Retail businesses are allowed to open again. Hotels and restaurants are supposed to follow by January 7th, 2021. But Austria’s Corona numbers are still very high.

Hundreds of police officers are working on enforcing the mandatory mask rule on Deutsche Bahn trains today. This applies to long distance trains, regional and local ones.

Sunday, December 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,183,640 (08:40 a.m. CET)

In spite of the fact that the infection numbers are usually lower on the weekends because many local health authorities do not report them, the Robert Koch Institute lists 17,767 new cases. According to the data provided by Johns Hopkins University, the number is even higher.

Chancellor Angela Merkel defends the budget for 2021 the Bundestag is going to pass this week, with the coalition parties’ majority. Germany is helping the economy and individuals get through the Corona crisis with billions of Euro. But, Merkel says, the costs “would be far higher if companies collapsed and millions of jobs were lost.” She also sys she sees “a light at the ende of the tunnel.”

In the meantime, Bavaria announces a tightening of its anti-Corona measures because of the constant high infection numbers there. Munich also declares a disaster situation, for the second time in this crisis.

Saturday, December 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,157,514 (08:45 a.m. CET)

Bavaria is about to tighten its Corona rules because the infection numbers in the federal state are not dropping. The same applies to Corona-related deaths. Almost one fourth of Germany’s Corona fatalities were reported in Bavaria. First Minister Markus Söder summoned his cabinet to an online meeting on Sunday at noon.

For the entire country of Germany, the numbers have not dropped much either, in spite of the strict measures that have been in place for weeks.

Friday, December 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,135,740 (09:15 a.m. CET)

In spite of the contact restrictions and other measures that have been in place for longer than a month now, the number of new Corona cases in Germany has increased again. The same applies to the number of Corona-related deaths.

The situation in Berlin is improving slowly, to some extent. For hotspots in Baden-Württemberg, the Stuttgart government is putting in place nightly curfews.

Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,117,953 (08:15 a.m. CET)

Germany prolongs its Corona restrictions until January 10th, 2021. Chancellor Angela Merkel says the latest numbers showed the kind of responsibility the federal government and those in the federal states had. According to her, the infection numbers are still far too high.

Some federal states might not follow the rest of Germany. Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania does not necessarily want to prolong the strict rules that are in place right now, because its numbers are low in comparison. Bavaria, on the other hand, intends to apply even stricter rules.

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,094,678 (09:00 a.m. CET)

In Germany, 487 Corona patients die within 24 hours. It is a new high. The number of new infections per day is still at a high level as well. There is some improvement in Berlin, where the Seven Day Incidence Number dropped below 200.

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn says he was hoping people would put confidence into the Corona vaccines the first of which he expects around New Year’s Eve. The path out of the pandemic required a readiness to be vaccinated, Spahn states.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,070,092 (09:50 a.m. CET)

In Germany, the government’s new Corona rules apply starting today. Some federal states have changed theirs slightly. Up to five people from up to two households may now gather.

In Berlin, where the number of COVID-19 patients who are being treated at hospitals has reached a high level, preparations for six Corona vaccination centers are underway. Both the German capital’s hospitals and the vaccination centers badly need nursing staff.

All new Corona rules, for most of Germany and Berlin, can be read here.

Monday, November 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,057,333 (09:50 a.m. CET)

While the number of new Corona infections is always a lot lower after weekends, because the reporting stalls on Saturdays and Sundays, the increase registered in the past 24 hours seems is a lot lower than it usually was on Mondays in the past month. Less that 5,000 new cases were added. Whether this is a trend or not remains to be seen.

Because of the experience earlier this year, when no protective masks were available, Germany is planning to prepare a reserve of material and medication needed in pandemics.

Sunday, November 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,052,494 (08:50 a.m. CET)

Both Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier call on the Germans to keep on following the Corona rules during the upcoming holidays. While Merkel says it would not take forever until vaccines would be available, Steinmeier writes a piece for ‘Bild am Sonntag’ in which he says aspects that usually made the dark days glow, such as visiting Christmas markets, being with loved ones and singing together, would be missing this time. “But even when we keep our distance, we can be close to each other.”

New, stricter Corona rules are now in place in Berlin. Up to five persons from up to two households may meet. Children aged 12 or younger do not count.

Saturday, November 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,038,649 (08:35 a.m. CET)

The Bavarian city of Passau has its own, strict Corona rules now after the Seven Day Incidence Number there almost reached 440. Residents need valid reasons when they leave their homes. The authorities would check pedestrians, the municipality announced.

In Berlin, two soldiers who helped the local health authority in the Mitte district deal with Corona are now infected. As a result, doctors and staffers are now in quarantine, at the worst moment imaginable.

Friday, November 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1,017,830 (08:28 a.m. CET)

The number of Corona infection cases in Germany exceeds one million. Within 26 days, since the partial lockdown began on November 2nd, it has almost doubled.

Berlin will have its own, stricter version of new Corona rules. Because the German capital is a Corona hotspot, only five adults may gather for Christmas, while ten may do so in most other parts of Germany.

The country’s worst Corona hotspot is now Hilburghausen county in Thuringia, where the Seven Day Incidence Number now exceeds 600.

Thursday, November 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 995,897 (09:40 a.m. CET)

Angela Merkel explains the decisions about new Corona restrictions at the Berlin Bundestag. The extremist right-wing party ‘AfD’ accuses her of creating “collateral damage” that was worse than the damage the Coronavirus had caused.

In the meantime, the number of new infections skyrockets again. As many as 32,687 new infection cases were reported within 24 hours, according to the data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 963,192 (09:00 a.m. CET)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers agree on Corona rules for December. Strict contact rules still apply. They will be eased for Christmas and New Year’s Eve only. Federal states with high Seven Day Incidence Numbers have to implement stricter rules. The deliberations took seven hours.

President Steinmeier calls Corona “a major deadly threat”, but also says “the virus will not steal our future. On the contrary, there are lessons to learn from this time of trial which will stand us in good stead in the future.”

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 946,822 (09:00 a.m. CET)

Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia have extended their Christmas vacations in order to improve the infection situation just before Christmas.

Tomorrow’s Corona conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers will not be easy according to the head of government in Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil. But he says there will be a mutual Corona plan that will cover Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Monday, November 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 932,434 (08:05 a.m. CET)

At their Corona meeting on Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers will agree on a prolongation of the semi-lockdown put in place on November 2nd, because the number of new infections needs to drop further. Tightened contact restrictions will likely be announced.

Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder said in an interview, patience and discipline were necessary now in order to make Christmas celebrations with relatives possible. Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced “clear decisions”.

Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 927,990 (06:10 a.m. CET)

Three days ahead of the next Corona meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder says the ongoing partial lockdown needs to be prolonged and tightened. He tells the ‘Bild am Sonntag’ (‘BamS’) weekly, that way Germans would be able to enjoy a nice Christmas holiday. According to Söder, the lockdown needs to be continued until the Seven Day Incidence Number drops down to 50.

Söder’s colleagues from federal states governed by the conservative CDU believe there need to be exceptions to the lockdown rules for Christmas.

In Berlin, Corona deniers plan to take to the streets yet again today. This time, they organized a “silent protest”. Counter protests were registered too.

Saturday, November 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 914,118 (08:26 a.m. CET)

Within one day, 22,593 new Corona infections were reported in Germany. The numbers are still not decreasing, in spite of the measures.

In order to give Germans the opportunity to enjoy “a normal Christmas holiday”, Alexander Dobrindt, who heads the conservative CSU’s regional faction at the Berlin Bundestag, wants a substantial tightening of the existing anti-Corona measures, including at schools.

In Berlin, three out of twelve districts now have Seven Day Incidence Numbers above 300. They are ‘Neukölln’, ‘Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg’ and ‘Mitte’.

Friday, November 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 891,525 (07:53 a.m. CET)

The Coronavirus is defeating Christmas in the sense that tens of millions of Germans will likely not be able to celebrate the holiday the way they want to, with less restrictions. The number of new infections in the past 24 hours is 24,041. Within about a week, the total number of Corona cases since the crisis started will hit one million if the numbers continue to look the way they do now.

Thursday, November 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 867,484 (08:37 a.m. CET)

In spite of Germany’s efforts to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus, the numbers are increasing substantially, even 18 days into the partial lockdown. As many as 23,727 new Corona infection cases were reported within 24 hours according to Johns Hopkins University.

Politicians and NGOs are demanding a fireworks ban on New Year’s Eve this year, because of Corona.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 843,757 (08:52 a.m. CET)

While the number of new Coronavirus infections remains high, Germany’s federal states are preparing vaccination centers. North Rhine-Westphalia intends to invest 100 million Euro (118.7 million U.S. Dollars or 89.5 million Pounds Sterling). Berlin announced it would use the former airports in Tegel and Tempelhof as two of a total of six vaccination centers.

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants Europe and Germany to share their vaccination contingent with poor countries.

In spite of the alarming situation, 7,000 Corona deniers and extremist right-wingers rally against the Corona rules, mostly without masks. The police use water cannons and arrest 365 individuals because orders to disperse were not followed.

Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 817,526 (08:35 a.m. CET)

While the “dynamic” of the ongoing Corona wave was “broken”, as German politicians put it, the goal is still far away. Germany’s Seven Day Incidence Number stands at 143.3. It is supposed to fall under the level of 50 and stay there.

In Berlin, the situation is more than alarming. Two of the German capital’s districts, namely ‘Mitte’ and ‘Neukölln’, have Seven Day Incidence Numbers that exceed 300 by far. For the first time ever, 1,000 Corona patients are being treated at Berlin’s hospitals. Many are connected to respirators.

Monday, November 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 805,159 (08:25 a.m. CET)

Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers from Germany’s sixteen federal states postponed decisions about the Corona rules. They will have another online conference on November 25th, 2020. Angela Merkel announced there would be a preview on Christmas and the time until 2021 next week.

The Chancellor had wanted to tighten the contact restrictions and other rules today, but a majority of states was not ready to go that step yet. The dynamic of the ongoing Corona wave had been broken, Merkel said. But Germany was far from reaching its goal.

Sunday, November 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 799,733 (08:25 a.m. CET)

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel and other high-ranking officials make clear the anti-Corona measures will not be eased anytime soon. She expects the next few months to be tough. Health Minister Jens Spahn says the Coronavirus had “long braking marks”.

Austria is going for a strict lockdown which will commence on Tuesday, November 17th, 2020. Austrians and other nationals in the country will need a valid reason when their leave their homes.

Saturday, November 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 785,093 (08:00 a.m. CET)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Minister are scheduled to discuss the subject they have been dealing with for 10 months now, namely Corona and it implications, on Monday. They need to get the numbers down, but are running out of options. There is not much left they can do.

The situation remains serious in Berlin, where the ‘Mitte’ district is Germany’s worst Corona hotspot now. In Hesse, more than 1,000 elderly people in retirement homes are infected with Corona.

Friday, November 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 762,832 (09:30 a.m. CET)

Professor Wieler of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin believes the Corona situation will escalate. He also said he expected some German hospitals to reach their limits. There would be more Corona-related deaths.

At the same time he stated he was cautiously optimistic about the fact the number of new infections per day was not quite as high as it had been before.

Thursday, November 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 738,094 (08:20 a.m. CET)

Because the number of infections remains high 12 days after the partial lockdown was put in place, the question is whether the measure is strict enough. The situation at thousands of schools is worrisome. At German hospitals, the ICUs are filling up.

Will Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers tighten the rules when they discuss things on Monday? Prolonged Christmas vacations are already being discussed. So are curfews.

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 715,693 (07:35 a.m. CET)

Regarding the number of new Corona infections in Germany, yesterday’s decrease did not last long. More than 25,000 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

By now, some 300,000 schoolkids in Germany are in quarantine. That number sextupled within six weeks. More than 30,000 teachers are in the same situation right now.

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 690,555 (08:20 a.m. CET)

The number of new Corona infections per day seems to be decreasing. Less than 8,000 new cases were reported between Monday morning and this morning.

Now that a German-American Corona vaccine might be available soon, Germany is discussing an important question: Who should be vaccinated first? The distribution aspect within Germany was already settled.

Monday, November 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 682,624 (09:00 a.m. CET)

In a ‘Bild’ interview, Health Minister Jens Spahn says up to 40 percent of all Germans were part of risk groups that needed to be protected. He states big celebrations during the winter months would not be possible.

The latest violent protest of Corona deniers and neo-Nazis in Leipzig is being discussed. Participants had refused to wear masks and attacked police officers. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer defends the police. Others say the protest should never have been improved.

Sunday, November 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 668,114 (09:45 a.m. CET)

From today, new rules apply to travelers who return to Germany from high risk countries. They have to go straight into quarantine for ten days. After five days, they can get out of isolation if they present a fresh Corona test with a negative result.

In Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg’s Forst Minister Winfried Kretschmann says the Corona rules may have to be tightened if the intended effect does not show. Even “very harsh” measures are possible, according to him.

Saturday, November 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 653,992 (08:12 a.m. CET)

According to Armin Laschet, the First Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, it is too early to tell whether the ongoing partial lockdown has the desired effect. At this stage, the main numbers are still increasing. Another record number of new Corona infections was reported for Germany.

In neighboring Denmark, the authorities are dealing with a mutated version of the virus, called the Cluster 5 Virus.

Friday, November 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 631,172 (08:40 a.m. CET)

With 22,561 new Corona infections within 24 hours, Germany hits another record. In Berlin, Hamburg and all over Germany, the situation is alarming. Berlin’s emergency hospitals are being ordered to reserve 25 percent of their ICU beds for COVID-19 patients.

Experts believe the effects of the ongoing partial lockdown might begin to show early next week.

Thursday, November 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 608,611 (07:35 a.m. CET)

The number of new Corona infections within 24 hours hits yet another record in Germany. According to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, 19,990 persons got infected between Tuesday and Wednesday.

While the ongoing partial lockdown has not stopped the alarming increase of infection numbers yet, the Reproduction Number is starting to drop. This may be the first positive development triggered by the government’s strict measures.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 577,131 (06:50 a.m. CET)

Brandenburg’s First Minister Dietmar Woidke is infected with Corona. Just days ago, he took part in the inauguration of BER Airport, where he shared a stage with Germany’s Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller and others. Some of them already went into quarantine.

In Berlin, more than 1,500 new Corona infections are being reported within one day for the first time ever. Other record numbers from there are just as worrisome.

The lockdown has made Berlin quiet down, to some extent. Few residents went shopping, but there were traffic jams on Tuesday.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 569,598 (08:50 a.m. CET)

On the second day of the second Corona lockdown the German government put in place, the number of new infections remains very high. The effects of the strict measures might kick in a week or two.

The head of the German Medical Association, Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, warned the “emergency brake” needed to be pulled right now. He says hospitals needed to prepare for more COVID-19 patients.

Monday, November 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 552,060 (09:20 a.m. CET)

Health Minister Jens Spahn, who is recovering from a Corona infection himself, says there would be “months of restrictions and sacrifice“.

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller says there had not been any other way but to impose a lockdown on the country. The latter measure starts today.

In Berlin, residents used their ‘last weekend’ before the lockdown for restaurant visits. Many appeared at a ‘pre-Christmas market’ just before it had to close for a month.

On Sunday, Berliners enjoyed their last restaurant visits this month. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Sunday, November 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 539,530 (09:15 a.m. CET)

Germany’s Foreign Minister Maas says the country’s borders will remain open this time. During the first lockdown in March and April, many of them had been closed.

The situation at Germany’s ICUs remains a concern.

Austria’s Chancellor Kurz announces a lockdown and ‘visit ban’ for his republic. These measures will be put in place on November 3rd.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 527,916 (07:40 a.m. CET)

The German Interior Ministry generated a plan under which Corona patients who need treatment at ICUs can be sent to hospitals anywhere in Germany, in case there are no capacities in their area.

Several federal states are kicking out tourists ahead of the partial lockdown which starts on Monday.

In Berlin, the Senate advises residents not to celebrate Halloween this year because of Corona. Family Minister Franziska Giffey says children could dress up in Halloween costumes and consume sweets at home.

Friday, October 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 509,329 (07:17 a.m. CET)

The Berlin Senate announces its version of the anti-Corona measures Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers agreed on earlier this week. In the German capital, children up to 12 years of age will have more rights in November. For instance, they may engage in sports activities in groups of up to ten persons.

Thursday, October 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 486,972 (08:45 a.m. CET)

Just hours after Angela Merkel announced a new lockdown that will begin on Monday, November 2nd, 2020, and last the entire month, the government was harshly criticized for the measure.

The Chancellor delivers a government statement at the Berlin Bundestag in which she defends the lockdown. The measures were “suitable necessary and proportional”, she says.

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 463,555 (08:10 a.m. CET)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers from Germany’s federal states announce a new semi-lockdown that will begin on Monday, November 2nd, 2020 and last until the end of November or until further notice.

The contact restrictions were tightened. Pubs and restaurants need to close again. Sports and entertainment events with audiences are forbidden. So are overnight stays at hotels, unless there is a very important reason.

But schools, kindergartens and retail businesses are supposed to remain open.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 455,529 (08:10 a.m. CET)

Because of the exploding Corona infection numbers in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel prepones her conference with the First Ministers from all sixteen federal states. It will take place on Wednesday. A “lockdown light” might be implemented.

In Berlin, the city state’s Senate convenes today. Tightened anti-Corona measures might be put in place here too.

Monday, October 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 443,189 (07:20 a.m. CET)

“Very difficult months are ahead”, Chancellor Angela Merkel believes. In Berlin, police deal with yet another protest staged by Corona deniers and arrest several participants. More officers check the adherence to the Corona rules in pubs, restaurants and outdoors. One business was shut down, dozens of people are responsible for infractions.

In seven German cities, districts and counties, the Seven Day Incidence Numbers are above 200. This makes them the most dangerous hotspots.

Sunday, October 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 434,789 (08:47 a.m. CET)

In Berlin, a thousand police officers are checking whether people in pubs, restaurants, parks, public transport and on streets follow the Corona rules. On Sunday morning, the interim result of the operation is “mainly positive”, according to a statement.

The MP and health expert Karl Lauterbach says in an interview Germany is only weeks away from a lockdown. He believes the anti-Corona measures need to be tightened more now.

Saturday, October 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 426,110 (09:15 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections within 24 hours, from Friday morning to this morning, is 21,505. But, in part, this extremely high number has to do with a technical glitch. On Friday, not all numbers reported by hospitals and health authorities were included. But even if a certain part of 21,505 new infections should have been part of yesterday’s number, the increase is more than alarming.

In the city state of Berlin, the health authorities are losing control. They cannot deal with this many infections. That is why individuals who test positive need to go into quarantine without being ordered to do so. And they have to inform their contact persons themselves.

Friday, October 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 404,605 (08:15 a.m. CEDT)

In cooperation with the Federal Police, the Berlin Police Department will enforce the adherence to the Corona rules in the German capital this weekend. One thousand officers will be part of the large scale operation. Berlin is one of Germany’s Corona hotspots.

In the meantime, the German government is preparing Corona vaccinations. They might commence before this year is over.

Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 397,922 (07:30 a.m. CEDT)

Germany is now a high risk country, according to its own definition. That is because its Seven Day Incidence Number just exceeded 50. More than 12,000 Corona infections were reported within 24 hours. The federal state of Baden-Württemberg might take action now that it hit that same level. Berlin is far beyond that stage. The German capital’s Incidence Number is above 100.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 385,591 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

According to the numbers provided by Johns Hopkins University, the number of Corona infections in Germany rises by more than 8,500 within 24 hours.

While Berchtesgadener Land is under a new Corona lockdown, the first one since spring, another hotspot emerges. In Delmenhorst, a town in Lower Saxony, the Seven Day Incidence Number now exceeds 200. A curfew was imposed on all local restaurants, pubs and bars.

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn tests positive for Corona after he took part in a cabinet meeting with the Chancellor and his colleagues.

Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 377,068 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

The number of Corona infections in Germany rose by 8,397 in the past 24 hours, according to the data provided by Johns Hopkins University. It is the biggest increase since April.

For the first time since that same month, a county in Germany, namely Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria, will be under a lockdown starting at 2 p.m. today. The infection numbers there had skyrocketed in the past days.

Berlin tightens its anti-Corona measures yet again.

Monday, October 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 368,671 (09:31 a.m. CEDT)

According to a city councilman in charge of health in Berlin-Neukölln, the district in the German capital is losing control of Corona. The main problem is that many infected persons refuse to cooperate.

In Dortmund, Corona deniers stage a protest in spite of the alarming situation.

Sunday, October 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 364,664 (08:07 a.m. CEDT)

Because of the constantly rising number of new Corona infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel asks people to refrain from traveling and to stay at home. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in quarantine. And the city state of Berlin is about to tighten its anti-Corona rules yet again.

Saturday, October 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 359,802 (08:53 a.m. CEDT)

In several cases, German courts sack anti-Corona measures put in place by federal states. The accommodation ban at hotels for residents of Corona hotspots seems to be a thing of the past. And the numbers keep on increasing. Within 24 hours, 7,695 new Corona infections have been registered in Germany. There are 62 hotspots.

Friday, October 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 352,107 (07:55 a.m. CEDT)

While the Corona numbers in Germany keep on rising, Health Minister Spahn is starting to sound rather pessimistic. He said the country was in the process of losing control. Berlin remains the main hotspot. Hundreds of soldiers are helping track down contact persons of infected individuals. Different Corona rules in Germany’s federal states still confuse people.

Berlin’s Neukölln district had quite a list of problems before Corona. Now a new one needed to be added.

Thursday, October 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 344,487 (06:35 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers from Germany’s federal states agree to a new anti-Corona plan. Once cities or counties become high risk areas, stricter rules apply. In those cases, masks have to be worn in crowded places and strict contact restrictions apply. There is no agreement on accommodation bans. The subject will be discussed again in November.

In the meantime, almost 5,000 new Corona infections were reported within 24 hours. (Note: The numbers in this chronology are based on those published by Johns Hopkins University. They are being listed in the early mornings. Therefore, and because of differences regarding the reporting speed, they might differ from the daily numbers the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin releases.)

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 339.664 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections within 24 hours exceeds 6,000, for the first time since early spring. Berlin and Frankfurt are two of the main Corona hotspots in Germany. In Berlin’s Neukölln district, the Seven Day Incidence level is 171.3. The alarm bells start ringing at 50.

Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers are about to discuss the high Corona numbers and their implications at the Chancellery in Berlin.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 332,850 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn announces there probably will be a vaccine against Corona in the first quarter of 2021. At the same time, he criticizes the accommodation bans most federal states have implemented for residents of areas with high Corona numbers. The number of new Corona infections in Germany is rising. Between Monday morning and this early morning, 6,541 new cases were reported.

Monday, October 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 326,309 (07:55 a.m. CEDT)

While the number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs at hospitals in Berlin has doubled within three weeks, politicians are discussing accommodation bans some federal states have implemented for residents of domestic Corona hotspots like Berlin. Governing Mayor Michael Müller criticized the policy. It will be discussed at the Conference of First Ministers later this week.

Sunday, October 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 323,897 (09:50 a.m. CEDT)

More and more cities in Germany report critical numbers and tighten their anti-Corona measures. Hamburg intends to avoid a Seven Day Incidence of 50 or higher by implementing stricter Corona rules beforehand. And Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder demands high fines for violations of curfews and alcohol bans.

Saturday, October 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 320,496 (08:15 a.m. CEDT)

Almost 5,000 new Corona cases were reported within 24 hours. Germany has several Corona hotspots. Berlin worries residents, politicians and virologists alike. In the German capital, the ‘Neukölln’ district is the worst hotspot. Here, the Seven Day Incidence Number reached 143.1

Friday, October 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 315,536 (06:00 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Merkel discusses the “exponential growth” of Corona infections in Germany with the Mayors of 11 large cities. The numbers are alarming. As many as 4,399 Corona cases had to be added within the past 24 hours. Berlin’s Seven Day Incidence Number has now exceeded 50.

Thursday, October 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 311,137 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections within 24 hours jumps from the usual 2,400 to 4,000. In Berlin and other parts of Germany, the Corona numbers are scary. More European countries and regions are being declared high risk areas by Germany, even though it is one itself.

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 307,127 (07:20 a.m. CEDT)

With 2,400 new infections within 24 hours since Tuesday morning, the numbers are still high but stable, considering the development in the past two weeks. In Berlin, the Seven Day Incidence Number and the Reproduction Number show critical values. Germany is waiting to see whether the semi-curfew in the capital will improve things.

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 304,673 (07:20 a.m. CEDT)

For the first time since April, the number of new Corona cases in Germany exceeded 3,000 in one single day. The situation in Berlin is serious. More and more districts report alarming numbers. In Neukölln, the Seven Day Incidence Number even hit 87. At the Berlin Bundestag, a mandatory mask rule is in place starting today. Nationwide advertising for Berlin as a tourist destination was scrapped because the city is simply too dangerous.

On Tuesday night, the Berlin Senate imposes a semi-curfew on Berlin. Starting on Saturday, selling or serving alcoholic beverages will be forbidden between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.. Private parties will be limited to 10 persons.

Monday, October 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases; 301,573 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

The MP and health expert Karl Lauterbach expects that all of Germany will be a high risk area soon. He pleads for measures designed to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, including a mandatory mask rule at crowded public places.

Sunday, October 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 300,027 (08:25 a.m. CEDT)

Because of the high number of new Corona infections in Berlin, the city state’s Health Senator Dilek Kalayci insists on an alcohol ban and stricter contact rules. Her partners in the Senate are not so sure about this approach.

Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 298,374 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

Berlin is developing into a Corona hotspot. In five districts, the numbers are a lot higher than they should be. In three of those, the Seven Day Incidence Number exceeds the threshold of 50. In two federal states within Germany, residents of certain Berlin districts need to go into quarantine before they are allowed to move around freely.

Germany’s 30th reunification anniversary is overshadowed by Corona. At the festivities in Potsdam, visitors need to wear masks. The number of official guests is a lot smaller than initially planned.

Friday, October 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 295,539 (08:35 a.m. CEDT)

Since the Corona situation in Munich has improved to some extent, some Corona rules in the Bavarian capital were eased. In Berlin, the number of infections keeps on rising. Two districts are Corona hotspots. In ‘Mitte’ and ‘Neukölln’, the situation is worrisome.

Thursday, October 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 292,913 (08:05 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Angela Merkel gives Germany hope. At the Berlin Bundestag, she says there would be a time after Corona. “What a joy that will be!” She also tells the nation there were difficult times ahead. Everyone needed to follow the rules. Another lockdown needed to be avoided.

Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 290,471 (07:40 a.m. CEDT)

The Berlin Senate tightens the Corona rules in the city state. At offices, people will have to wear masks soon. They may only take them off while they work at their desks. Also the number of guests at private parties was limited further.

Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 288,639 (08:17 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers agree on what they call a ‘Hotspot Strategy’ against Corona. This means the authorities will react to local or regional Corona outbreaks. Preventing another “shutdown” of the entire country is a main priority, according to Mrs. Merkel..

Monday, September 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 286,339 (08:17 a.m. CEDT)

Ahead of a discussion on the implications of the rising Corona numbers Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold with the First Ministers, one of them, namely Bavaria’s Markus Söder, suggested the introduction of a nationwide Corona traffic light warning system.

In Berlin, Germany’s armed forces are helping the health authorities to cope with Corona. They are tracking down contact persons of newly infected individuals.

Sunday, September 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 285,026 (08:07 a.m. CEDT)

In spite of rising Corona numbers in Germany, two First Ministers in eastern Germany, namely Reiner Haselhoff from Saxony-Anhalt and Michael Kretschmer in Saxony, oppose a tightening of the measures that are supposed to fight or at least curb the virus. Haseloff told the ‘Bild am Sonntag’ weekly, in his state, the numbers were increasing slowly. There was no reason for stricter rules. Kretschmer told the same publication, he believed people would be careful voluntarily. They did not need to be forced. On Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to discuss the worrisome Corona situation and its implications with the First Ministers from all 16 federal states in Germany.

In one of Germany’s nine neighboring countries, the Netherlands, the rise of the number of infected persons and the increasing number of Corona-related deaths is even more alarming. It looks like the Dutch are in for another lockdown.

Saturday, September 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 283,712 (08:08 a.m. CEDT)

Germany declares Czechia, Luxemburg and the Austrian federal state of Tyrol high risk areas because of the rapid rise of Corona.

Berlin will probably have new contact restrictions next week. In the German capital, the Seven Day Incidence Number is increasing.

Friday, September 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 281,346 (08:17 a.m. CEDT)

Health Minister Spahn says an anti-Corona measure Munich took, namely a mandatory mask rule in the city center, even outdoors, will not be adopted for all of Germany.

Berlin, Hamm and Munich are the new Corona hotspots in Germany. A local outbreak in Offenbach county was reported.

All in all, can the spread of the Coronavirus in Germany be kept under control indefinitely? The answer is probably no.

Thursday, September 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 279,206 (06:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Commerce Minister Peter Altmaier are in quarantine. In the case of Maas, a security agent who is part of his staff tested positive. In Altmaier’s case, a staffer of one of the ministers present at the Council of Trade Ministers tested positive.

The city of Hamm is fighting extremely high numbers of new Corona infections. Over there, the ‘Seven Day Incidence Number’ stands at 95. It is supposed to be below 50. Many schoolkids are infected.

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller confirmed the Senate might decide to introduce alcohol bans.

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 277,412 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

In spite of the rising number of new Corona infections in North Rhine-Westphalia, its First Minister Armin Laschet rejects the idea of tightening the anti-Corona measures for the entire federal state again.

In Berlin, where the numbers are high as well, a city-wide party ban is being discussed. This kind of step was demanded by a local public health officer in the city’s Reinickendorf district.

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 275,560 (07:30 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, the number of new Corona infections is rising rapidly. Health Senator Dilek Kalayci will be discussing the issue with district mayors of boroughs with extremely high numbers. Because of the situation, the Berlin Senate might tighten the Corona rules in the German capital.

Germany wants to prevent another closure of schools. This is the outcome of a meeting involving Chancellor Angela Merkel, Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczec and the Education Ministers from Germany’s sixteen federal states. The federal government will provide support for the digitization at schools. Germany is lagging behind in this area.

Monday, September 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 273,965 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers from Germany’s federal states will hold a video conference next week, in order to discuss the rising Corona infection numbers and their implications.

While the difference between today’s total number of Corona infections in Germany, since the pandemic started, and yesterday’s number is very low, probably because reporting on Sundays lags behind, other numbers do sound alarming: In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest federal state, almost 7,000 schoolkids and 580 teachers are reportedly in quarantine. As many as 238 students and 46 teachers tested positive for Corona.

Sunday, September 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 273,831 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

Now the number of new Corona infections reported within the past day even exceeds 2,500. Again, this is the highest number in months. The increase is alarming, but not quite as bad as in some other European countries. On Saturday, France reported 13,498 new cases within 24 hours.

Saturday, September 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 271,247 (06:37 a.m. CEDT)

For the second time since April, the number of new Corona infections per day exceeds 2,000.

Munich is the first major city in Germany that exceeds the critical number of 50 new Corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants for seven days in a row. First Mayor Dieter Reiter intends to see the developments this weekend before he takes action. He says he does not want to close kindergartens or schools.

Friday, September 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 269.048 (08:40 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, the number of new Corona infections within one day exceeds 2,000 for the first time in months. In Austria, the situation is even more alarming. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s government just tightened the country’s anti-Corona measures.

Thursday, September 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 266,869 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany declares Amsterdam, Budapest and Vienna high risk areas because of the rising number of Corona cases there. Regions in the Netherlands, France and Switzerland were added to the list too. Individuals who enter Germany from any of those regions need to go into quarantine unless they show a fresh Corona test that turned out negative.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 265,014 (08:30 a.m.)

In the Bavarian town of Deggendorf, the local health authority is looking into a case in which a doctor supposedly continued to treat patients even though he had COVID-19 symptoms. More than 200 individuals are now in quarantine.

Tuesday, September 15th 2020 Coronavirus cases: 263,222 (07:45 a.m. CEDT)

The behavior of a 26-year-old U.S. citizen in Garmisch-Partenkirchen might have legal consequences. In spite of a pending Corona test result and typical COVID-19 symptoms, she visited several clubs in the Bavarian town. As a result, numerous residents and visitors were tested for Corona. The results are expected to come in today.

Monday, September 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 261,737 (07:40 a.m. CEDT)

In Thuringia, a man died of COVID-19 on Sunday. His death increases the number of Corona fatalities in Germany to 9,354. The victim had recently taken part in a bus trip to Czechia. Several new infections that seemed to be related were reported around the city of Weimar.

A student at a school in Potsdam tested positive for Corona as well. Thirty-two contact persons are now in quarantine.

Sunday, September 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 260,817 (07:05 a.m. CEDT)

At Frankfurt Airport, airline passengers who enter Germany from Kosovo test positive for Corona more than travelers coming in from other countries, namely 6.38 percent of them. Passengers from Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Croatia have high infection rates as well, according to Centogene, the company that conducts Corona tests at Germany’s largest airport.

In Munich, 10,000 people stage a protest against the federal government’s anti-Corona measures. There were arrests. More than 100 people were reported because of offenses against the Corona rules.

Saturday, September 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 259,735 (08:05 a.m. CEDT)

In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a tourist magnet in Bavaria, the number of new Corona infections is rising rapidly. They have already exceeded the critical mark of 50 per 100,000 residents within seven days. The local health authorities did not manage to track down all persons the infected individuals may have been in contact with. According to the ‘Bild’ daily, a lady who chose to party in spite of having COVID-19 symptoms contributed to the alarming situation.

Friday, September 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 258,149 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

In the city of Würzburg, number of new Coronavirus infections is far higher than it should be. There have been 57.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past seven days. The authorities announced an alcohol ban in certain areas to prevent outdoor parties from taking place. Travelers who return to Würzburg from high risk countries need to have themselves tested twice. It remains to be seen whether these measures improve things.

Thursday, September 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 256,433 (07:40 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, the number of new Corona cases per day almost doubled. On Wednesday, 72 new infections had been registered. Today, there were 139. It is unclear whether the substantial increase in the German capital will turn out to be a trend or not.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 254,957 (06:25 a.m. CEDT)

In Frankfurt, the local health authority is dealing with a case in which a man who is infected with the Coronavirus kept on working as a waiter. Four hundred contact persons of his are being tested now. A hefty fine is what he has to expect.

While the number of Corona infections in European countries like France, Spain and the United Kingdom is rising, it seems to be constant in Germany. Some 1,300 new Corona cases were reported within the past 24 hours.

Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 253,626 (08:40 a.m. CEDT)

Three Bavarian towns report critical Corona numbers. In three cases, the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days is higher than 50.

The large overall increase of Corona cases within the past 24 hours, there are almost 1,900 of them, might (or might not) have to do with the reporting this past weekend. It was possibly lagging behind.

Monday, September 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 251,728 (09:00 a.m. CEDT)

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants Germany to have an act of state for the victims of the Coronavirus. With Health Minister Jens Spahn, the first government member has welcomed the idea. In the past seven and a half months, 9,330 persons in Germany have died of COVID-19.

Sunday, September 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 251,058 (07:50 a.m. CEDT)

The European Union and Germany are reportedly far behind in regard to securing doses for future vaccinations against COVID-19. While the United States of America and the United Kingdom have pre-purchased far more doses than they have inhabitants, it is the other way around in the E.U..

Saturday, September 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 250,283 (08:55 a.m. CEDT)

Two new Corona test glitches have led to problems in Germany. More than 10,000 persons who returned to Germany from high risk countries through Bavarian airports did not receive their test results on time. In Hamburg, 250 test results were lost.

Friday, September 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 248,840 (05:20 a.m. CEDT)

Almost four months before Christmas, Germany is discussing the question whether Christmas markets may open in Corona times. Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder wants those markets to take place. He says there was enough time to develop the right concepts.

Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 247,411 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, the number of new Corona infections per day is still at a relatively high level, compared to the numbers in June and July. But few local outbreaks are being reported these days. In Dresden, the virus hit the ‘St. Benno-Gymnasium’ secondary school. At least 100 persons are being sent into quarantine in their homes.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 246,015 (07:22 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, the Senate changes the Corona rules yet again. Masks will have to be worn at protests. At restaurants, guests who add false data to the contact lists they have to fill out will be fined.

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 244,802 (09:30 a.m. CEDT)

Corona deniers accuse the Berlin Police of having killed a female protester who took part in Saturday’s rallies against the government’s measures against the Corona pandemic. While this allegation is yet another conspiracy theory, the authorities are looking into accusations against an officer who may have used excessive force.

Again, the number of new Corona infections in Germany within 24 hours stands at approximately 1,500.

Monday, August 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 243,305 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

Politicians in Berlin are appalled by what happened on Saturday, when extremist protesters approached the Reichstag with Reich’s flags. President Steinmeier calls the incident an “intolerable attack”.

The number of new Corona infections in the past 24 hours is substantially lower today than it was in the past weeks, possibly because the reporting lagged behind during the weekend.

Sunday, August 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 242,835 (07:48 a.m. CEDT)

More than 2,000 new Coronavirus infections were reported in Germany within 24 hours. It is the largest increase in several months.

In Berlin, police end several protests staged by Corona deniers and Nazis. Three hundred participants are being arrested for attacking police officers and displaying forbidden symbols.

Saturday, August 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 240,571 (08:36 a.m. CEDT)

Two courts dumps a ban the Berlin Police had imposed on protests organized by Corona deniers. The events are taking place. Three thousand police officers are being deployed.

Angela Merkel prepares Germany for a difficult fall and winter at a press conference in Berlin.

Friday, August 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 240,571 (08:36 a.m. CEDT)

After Berlin banned a Corona denier protest originally planned for Saturday, the organizers are trying to fool the authorities in the German capital by registering thousands of protests for the same day. A court decision on the ban is pending.

Thursday, August 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 239,010 (07:25 a.m. CEDT)

After banning Corona deniers’ rallies that were registered for Saturday, Berlin’s Interior Senator Andreas Geisel receives personal threats. His decision is being slammed by right-wing extremists, but supported by the conservative opposition.

Berlin’s Interior Senator Andreas Geisel banned the Corona deniers’ protest. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

During a video meeting, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers in Germany’s sixteen federal states reach some common ground on changes to Corona rules. For instance, persons who enter Germany from high risk countries will have to expect stricter rules.

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 237,583 (08:15 a.m. CEDT)

Thousands of Corona deniers were going to be back on the streets of Berlin on Saturday for a protest against the government’s Corona rules. But the Berlin Senate bans the event.

Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 236,122 (07:08 a.m. CEDT)

While the number of new Corona infections in Germany rises again, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder, her possible successor as Chancellor, want a uniform approach in regard to the Corona rules in all federal states. On Thursday, all First Ministers and Merkel are scheduled to discuss the way ahead at the Chancellery in Berlin.

Monday, August 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 234,494 (06:16 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections per day in Germany seems to be decreasing. In the past 24 hours, some 640 persons tested positive. It remains to be seen whether this is an ongoing trend. Last week, there had been up to 1,800 new Corona cases per day.

Deutsche Bahn now wants to make sure more people in trains and train stations follow the mask rule. In an interview with the ‘Bild’ daily, a representative announced the company would deploy more security people at its long distance and city train stations.

Sunday, August 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 233,861 (08:07 a.m. CEDT)

For the first time in many days, the number of new Corona infections in Germany within 24 hours has slid under 1,000 between Saturday and Sunday morning. But this is not a trend yet. The reporting might have decreased during the weekend.

Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 233,029 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

According to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, most Germans get infected with Corona at home or at retirement homes. During Corona outbreaks at family homes, 3.2 people get infected, on average. In retirement homes, that number is 19.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, there is an ongoing discussion about the question whether the next carnival should be cancelled. Earlier this year, countless persons got infected at carnival events.

Friday, August 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 231,292 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution in the city state of Hamburg warns the Scientology cult is using Corona to lure people into joining it. In Hamburg, brochures entitled ‘How to Prevent the Spread of Illnesses through Isolation’ have appeared. Scientology is refraining from using its name in those publications in order to reach more potential members.

Thursday, August 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 229,706 (06:50 a.m. CEDT)

Again, the number of new Corona infections registered in Germany within a day exceeds 1,500. In spite of the constant large increase, the situation in Germany’s hospitals is calm in the sense that the ICUs still have many vacant beds. One of the biggest fears since the pandemic hit Europe more than half a year ago was that the health system could be overburdened. This danger only applies to the local health authorities right now.

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 228,120 (09:35 a.m. CEDT)

The governments of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg want Croatia to be declared a high risk country because of the high number of Corona infections among travelers returning from there. The Forst Ministers Markus Söder and Winfried Kretschmann are pressuring Berlin to act.

The number of new Corona infections per day remains high in Germany. In the past 24 hours, about 1,400 infections were reported.

Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 226,698 (08:15 a.m. CEDT

Within one day, almost 1,700 new Corona infections were registered in Germany. It is one of the highest increases in weeks. The higher the numbers, the more demands for stricter measures come in. A Berlin politician now wants a soccer match watching ban at pubs.

Monday, August 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 225,007 (07:15 a.m. CEDT)

At Tegel Airport in Berlin, a man attacked a hospital staff member at a Corona test center on Sunday. The family father insisted on getting free tests even though his family was not entitled to those. After the incident, the test facility was shut down for the rest of the day.

Sunday, August 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 224,634 (6:38 p.m. CEDT)

The Coronavirus messes up the beginning of the new school year in Germany’s largest federal state North Rhine Westphalia. School started on Wednesday. Only 48 hours later, twelve schools were affected. Things look similar in other parts of Germany.

Saturday, August 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 223,791 (09:23 a.m. CEDT)

The overall Corona situation in Germany is deteriorating. More than 1,500 new infections are registered within 24 hours.

In Berlin, the government issues a travel warning for Mallorca, exactly two months after it let Germans visit their favorite island for the summer vacations. The attempt to enable vacationers to spend their holidays abroad fails.

Friday, August 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases; 222,281 (07:36 a.m. CEDT)

Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder is under pressure because of a major glitch at his federal state’s Corona test centers. Harsh criticism is coming his way.

In the meantime, the Corona numbers in Germany are continuing to rise rapidly.

Thursday, August 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 220,859 (06:40 a.m. CEDT)

Some 1,300 new Coronavirus cases are registered within 24 hours, and the cold season has not even begun.

In Berlin, were the summer vacations ended on Monday, several schools have already been hit by Corona.

Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases; 219,540 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

A large Pop concert that is supposed to take place in Düsseldorf in early September has led to a dispute in Germany.

The number of new Corona infections within 24 hours exceeded 1,000 yet again.

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 218,508 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infection has exceeded 1,000 within 24 hours yet again. On Monday, the Robert Koch Institute had said there had been 966 new cases since Sunday.

In Berlin, Corona cut tourism in half during the first six months of this year.

Monday, August 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 217,288 (09:03 a.m. CEDT)

There are many worries related to Corona, including the implications of the upcoming cold season and the situation at schools. But the Health Ministers from Germany’s federal states were going to discuss something else today, namely soccer matches at stadiums.

Sunday, August 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 216,903 (09:30 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Commerce Minister Peter Altmaier tells the ‘Funke Media Group’, the increase of new Corona infections per day was alarming. At the same time, a second lock-down needed to be prevented. It was about everyone’s health, the children’s return to school and the economic recovery.

Because of Corona, most Germans are spending their vacations in their own country. For that reason, and because a heatwave just hit, Germany’s beaches were overcrowded on Saturday. In Berlin, police ended illegal parties yet again.

Saturday, August 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 216,196 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

Again, the number of new Corona cases in Germany increases by more than 1,000 in 24 hours.

In the federal state of Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania, where school started on Monday, two schools are already shut down because of Corona. Whether this is a preview of what the rest of Germany will go through, remains to be seen. The second state to reopen its schools was Hamburg, on Thursday. Berlin and Brandenburg are next.

Friday, August 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 215,039 (07:00 a.m. CEDT)

The daily number of new Corona infections in Germany is still at a high level, compared to where it stood in the past two months. This time, there were more than 800 new Corona cases within 24 hours.

A new local Corona outbreak was detected in a residential home for handicapped individuals in the eastern German town of Görlitz. In Mamming (Bavaria) another one was reported at an additional location of a canned food factory.

Thursday, August 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 214,113 (07:15 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, the number of new Corona infections within 24 hours has increased by more than 1,000 in 24 hours. This had not happened in many weeks.

Health Minister Spahn mandates compulsory Corona tests for people who enter Germany from high risk countries.

Several high-school graduates in Göppingen and other parts of Germany who took part in a party vacation in Croatia are now infected with Corona.

At the last moment before the summer vacation ends, Brandenburg puts in place a mandatory masks rule for its schools.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 212,828 (08:11 a.m. CEDT)

The local Corona outbreak in the Bavarian municipality of Mamming is larger than anticipated at first. Most recently, 166 employees of a canned food factory tested positive. All workers are now in quarantine. Before, outbreaks at two farms in the same region had be detected.

North Rhine-Westphalia is now taking a strict approach against people who refuse to wear masks. In public transport, the new fine is 150 Euro. Also they will be kicked out at the next stop. At schools, students who refuse to wear masks may be expelled.

Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 212,111 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

Germany is preparing Corona test centers at airports, train stations and bus terminals. Later this week, Corona tests will be mandatory for people who enter Germany from high risk countries or regions, and who want to move around freely instead of being in quarantine.

Monday, August 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 211,220 (08:36 a.m. CEDT)

Health Minister Jens Spahn says compulsory Corona tests for persons who enter Germany from “high risk countries” would commence this week. By Monday morning, 18,000 travelers coming through Bavaria’s international borders had already been tested.

Sunday, August 2nd, 2020 Coronaviris cases: 211,005 (10:23 a.m. CEDT)

A new Corona outbreak is being reported from Mamming, where 27 people tested positive at a second vegetable farm.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, hospitals are preparing for a rising number of Corona patients who might be admitted amid rising infection numbers.

At a nursing home in Nuremberg, 135 people are now in quarantine, after one person there tested positive for Corona.

Saturday, August 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 210,399 (07:50 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, conspiracy theorists join right-wing extremists at a protest. They claim “fake scientists” had created the “fake virus” Corona.

In the meantime, the daily number of new Corona cases remains relatively high in Germany. The German Medical Association is demanding more employees for local health authorities, because of the increasing infection numbers.

Friday, July 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 209,535 (08:05 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, the number of new Coronavirus infections increased by almost 1,000 within 24 hours. This is the largest increase in weeks.

Three more local Corona outbreaks were detected.

Thursday, July 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 208,546 (07:55 a.m. CEDT)

The authorities are dealing with two new local Corona outbreaks, one in Berlin and one in Dithmarschen county, up north. In the meantime, Corona test centers are opening at airports and border crossings in Bavaria and Berlin. More are to follow.

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 207,707 (08:50 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, the Corona situation creates “big worries”, according to Professor Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

Three federal states just imposed entry bans on residents of a Bavarian county known for a local Corona outbreak at a farm.

Professor Lothar Wieler of the RKI has “big worries”.

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 207,382 (11:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn announces mandatory Corona tests for travelers who return from high risk regions. The measure will reportedly be implemented next week. Chancellery Minister Helge Braun says there was “cause for concern” regarding the infection situation in Germany.

Monday, July 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 206,667 (08:23 a.m. CEDT)

In Germany, fears of a second Corona wave are increasing. There are already demands for mandatory tests for returning vacationers. Health Minister Spahn says illegal parties and trips without caution would accelerate the spread of the virus.

Sunday, July 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 206,278 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

Two new local Corona outbreaks in Germany and one in Austria are being reported. Hundreds of people are in quarantine in Memmingen, Weimar and St. Wolfgang.

Saturday, July 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 205,623 (08:26 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Coronavirus cases per day in Germany is growing. There used to be 200 to 300 new cases per day. Now there are 700 to 800. Even the Robert Koch Institute, the German equivalent of the CDC, said the situation was disturbing. Michael Kretschmer, the First Minister of Saxony, said the “second wave” had already hit.

Friday, July 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 204,881 (07:35 a.m. CEDT)

At least 13 persons were infected with Corona at a restaurant at Alexanderplatz square in Berlin. The authorities say the Corona rules had largely been ignored there. Therefore, the business will have to pay a fine.

The free Corona App released by the German government did not warn many of its users about contacts they may have had with persons infected with the Coronavirus because of a technical issue. The ‘Bild’ daily reported about the problem first. Users of Samsung and Huawei cell phones were affected. So far, almost 16 million users have downloaded the app.

Health Minister Jens Spahn and his colleagues from Germany’s federal states announced they would introduce Corona tests for travelers who arrive from high risk countries. Germany and the federal states will pay for them. Travelers coming in from non-high risk regions can get tested for free as well.

Austria has tightened its mask rules again, after the number of new infections per day increased. Mask are now mandatory at shops, banks, post offices and in public transport. This had been the case during the first Corona phase as well.

Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 204,272 (06:40 a.m. CEDT)

According to North Rhine-Westphalia’s Health Minister Laumann, the recent outbreak at the Tönnies meat factory in Gütersloh county included 2,119 cases. This is what he told the ‘Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung’ daily. So far, media had reported about 1,550 cases. By now, the situation in that region has improved. Out of all individuals affected, not a single one needed to be treated at the hospital.

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 203,717 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

The city state of Berlin is easing more Corona restrictions. In restaurants, up to six people may now sit at a table, even when the distance between them is less that 1.5 meters (5 feet). They may also sit at counters or bars.

Clubs, saunas and brothels in the German capital remain closed.

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 203,495 (11:40 a.m. CEDT)

Because of the Corona crisis, Germany’s tax income in June slumped by 19 percent, compared to June of 2019.

Lübeck is the first German city that intends to introduce a mandatory mask rule in outdoor public areas.

Monday, July 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 202,727 (07:05 a.m. CEDT)

Police in Berlin and Cologne had to stop outdoor parties with hundreds of participants who had not adhered to the Corona rules this past weekend. It was not the first time.

Bavaria announces the establishment of Corona test centers at its airports within days. Munich’s Franz Josef Strauss Airport is the second-largest one in Germany.

Sunday, July 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 202,580 (10:18 a.m. CEDT)

Yet another Corona outbreak is being dealt with at a slaughterhouse in Lower Saxony. Sixty-six employees tested positive.

Chancellery Minister Helge Braun says, the overall Corona situation in Germany was “under control”. But he concedes this was a snapshot in time.

Saturday, July 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 202,355 (09:10 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona cases per day seems to be increasing at this stage, according to the numbers from several sources, including Johns Hopkins University.

In Verden, a town in Lower Saxony, 100 residents of an apartment block are in quarantine right now, after eight inhabitants tested positive for Corona. The local authorities are on the case.

Friday, July 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 201,450 (08:37 a.m. CEDT)

As Chancellor of an E.U. members state, the biggest contributor of them all, and as President of the Council of the European Union, Angela Merkel is in Brussels today, for negotiations about the E.U. budget until 2027 and the Corona recovery fund. All in all, this is about 1,824 billion Euro (2,077 billion U.S. Dollars or 1,653 billion Pounds Sterling).

Thursday, July 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 200, 890 (06:20 a.m. CEDT)

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas criticizes German tourists in Mallorca who were seen partying without distance or masks on photos. He says the E.U. had managed to open inner borders again. This achievement should not be risked with reckless behavior, he tells the ‘Funke Mediengruppe’ newspapers. Otherwise new restrictions would become unavoidable.

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 200,456 (08:55 a.m. CEDT)

The European Union is working on decreasing the number of countries people can enter its area from. Because of the alarming Corona situation in Serbia and Montenegro, those two countries are being taken off the list.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 200,180 (08:05 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s federal government and the federal states discuss new rules for regional Coronavirus outbreaks. They want a more uniform and effective approach in those cases.

The latest local Corona outbreak is being detected at a refugee hostel in Bad Tölz.

Monday, July 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 199,919 (06:50 a.m. CEDT)

The authorities in Solingen detected a local Corona outbreak at a retirement home. Six elderly people who live there and five staffers tested positive for Corona. Now all 150 persons who live and work at the facility are supposed to be tested.

The number of Coronavirus cases in Germany will hit 200,000 today. But since more than 184,000 individuals who used to be infected are cured by now, there are around 16,000 active Corona cases in Germany right now.

Sunday, July 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 199,709 (6:50 a.m. CEDT)

Two top government officials and one First Minister have gained a lot of popularity during the ongoing crisis because of their Corona policies and statements on the matter. They are Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz and Markus Söder, who rules Bavaria. This is part of the outcome of a poll conducted by the ‘Bild am Sonntag’ weekly.

Saturday, July 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 199,332 (06:05 a.m. CEDT)

Ugur Sahin, a professor of immunology from the German city of Mainz who runs the biopharmaceutical company Biontech, says he believes it will take ten years to defeat the Coronavirus. In an interview with the ‘Wall Street Journal’ he explains humanity would be “done with the virus” once 90 percent of the world’s population was immune after infections or by vaccination.

Friday, July 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 199,001 (08:05 a.m. CEDT)

In case of a second Coronavirus wave, Germany’s Family Minister Franziska Giffey does not want restrictions that apply nationwide, but local measures. Also because of the deteriorating situation in countries like Serbia and Bulgaria, Germany does fear a second wave. But, at this stage, the number of new infections is still low. Local outbreaks are being contained.

Thursday, July 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 198,699 (07:45 a.m. CEDT)

While Health Minister Jens Spahn keeps on defending the mandatory mask rule, two local Corona outbreaks were detected. In Sindelfingen, kindergartens are closed. Three dormitories are under quarantine in the city of Koblenz.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 198,382 (09:23 a.m. CEDT)

After the debate about dropping the mandatory mask rule in retail, a new discussion starts in Germany. This one is about filling soccer stadiums with fans. It looks like the number of bad ideas is unlimited.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 198,284 (5:55 p.m. CEDT)

The mask rule will remain in place in Germany after all. Health Minister Jens Spahn and his colleagues from the country’s federal states decided not to throw it overboard.

Monday, July 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 197,607 (10:20 a.m. CEDT)

Germany is discussing a suggestion from Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania: The federal state’s Commerce Minister Harry Glawe says the mandatory mask rule should be scrapped in August. Health Minister Jens Spahn and others reject the idea.

Sunday, July 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 197,423 (11:25 a.m. CEDT)

The latest semi-lockdown in Gütersloh county seems to be working. According to the local health authorities, the number of new infections per day is decreasing. In late June, more than 1,500 workers at the Tönnies meat factory in that region had tested positive for Corona.

Saturday, July 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 196,780 (09:10 a.m. CEDT)

For the first time since Corona hit Germany in January, the virus has not been present much, on the first pages of dailies, for an entire week. The local Corona outbreaks seem to be under control as much as they can be at this stage, the number of new infections is still low, in spite of big gatherings during protests and illegal parties. But this ‘Corona break’ in the media is most likely a temporary one.

Friday, July 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 196,723 (2:35 p.m. CEDT)

Health Minister Jens Spahn concedes failures by the German government during the ongoing Corona crisis. He tells the ‘Spiegel’ weekly, masks should have been purchased earlier. Spahn also says there would be more pandemics in future. Bacteria and bio terrorism were other dangers Germany needed to watch out for.

Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 196,370 (8:05 p.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Merkel says Corona was the biggest crisis the European Union had ever been confronted with. During Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, overcoming the crisis is high on the agenda. Merkel states the answer to the unprecedented Corona crisis needed to be massive and really have an effect. “We will work hard, and we will show resolve”, she promises.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 195,837 (10:20 a.m. CEDT)

The European aircraft manufacturer announces it would have to cut 15,000 jobs around the world, including more than 5,000 in Germany. Corona is to blame. Airbus believes air traffic will not recover before 2023.

Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 195,398 (11:45 a.m. CEDT)

Armin Laschet, the First Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia says there would be more Corona outbreaks like in Gütersloh county, where 1,500 workers at a meat factory recently tested positive for Corona.

Laschet also criticized “premature action” by some of his colleagues. They were restricting people’s basic rights. At some point in the Corona crisis, Laschet became one of those who wanted to give people their freedom as soon as possible. He was also the one who announced the new semi-lockdown in Gütersloh county.

Monday, June 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 194,898 (10:45 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn is criticizing Bavaria for announcing Corona tests for all inhabitants of the federal state. The plan sounded good, but was not expedient since it increased the risk for erroneous positive tests, he says. According to Spahn, this approach can lull those who test negative into a false sense of security.

Sunday, June 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 194,458 (07:15 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Angela Merkel says overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic and its consequences was the top priority during Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which commences on July 1st, 2020.

In Gütersloh county, 75 persons who are not connected to the Tönnies meat factory in any way, tested positive for Corona. Among workers and other employees at the slaughterhouse itself, more than 1,500 are infected.

Saturday, June 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 194,036 (08:52 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s federal government and its sixteen federal states agree on a hotel rule for residents of counties with high infection numbers. In the meantime, the city state of Berlin is trying to enforce its mask rule.

Friday, June 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 193,981 (07:45 p.m. CEDT)

In Germany, travelers from counties with high Coronavirus infection numbers may only rent hotel rooms outside their county when they prove they are not infected, by showing an official document filled out by their doctor. Recent local Corona outbreaks at slaughterhouses and elsewhere worry Germany.

Thursday, June 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 193,257 (11:35 a.m. CEDT)

Local Coronavirus outbreaks have been detected at more meat factories in Germany. Some Germans, including politicians, fear a second Corona wave.

Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 192,480 (10:55 a.m. CEDT)

The residents of yet another apartment block in Berlin are in quarantine after 44 persons tested positive for Corona. In the meantime, three Bulgarians fled the quarantine in Gütersloh county and turned up in their home country.

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 191,768 (08:55 a.m. CEDT)

The number of infected persons among employees and workers of the Tönnies meat factory now stands at 1,553. North Rhine-Westphalia’s First Minister Armin Laschet announces a new lockdown for all of Gütersloh County, in an unprecedented move.

Monday, June 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 191,272 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

In Gütersloh county, more than 1,300 persons are infected with Corona. Most of them work at the Tönnies meat factory. In spite of the alarming number, the government of North Rhine-Westphalia refuses to implement a new lockdown in the county affected.

Sunday, June 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 190,670 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the reproduction number for the Coronavirus in Germany has increased to 1.79. This number number shows how many persons each infected individual passes the Coronavirus on to, statistically. It is supposed to be below the value of 1. Several local Corona outbreaks are to blame, the RKI says.

Saturday, June 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 190,299 (09:45 a.m. CEDT)

Gütersloh and Berlin are setting everything in motion to control their local Corona outbreaks. The one in Gütersloh county is the largest outbreak since Corona hit Germany on January 27th.

Friday, June 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 189,810 (10:25 a.m. CEDT)

Authorities in Berlin, Göttingen and Gütersloh county are dealing with three local Corona outbreaks. Hundreds of people are infected, thousands were put in quarantine.

Thursday, June 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 188,604 (07:10 a.m. CEDT)

All schools are supposed to reopen after the summer vacations. Large events are forbidden until the end of October. This is the outcome of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s latest meeting with the First Ministers on Wednesday.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 188,252 (07:25 a.m. CEDT)

First Minister Armin Laschet blames “Romanians and Bulgarians” for a serious Coronavirus outbreak at a meat factory in the Gütersloh area. Hundreds are infected, thousands in quarantine.

Chancellor Angela Merkel warns against setbacks in the fight against Corona. Regarding the economical crisis the virus caused, she says she was not sure whether hopes and reality had been merged yet.

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 188,213 (12:00 noon CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections is growing a little faster again.

In Berlin, a local health authority is dealing with a Corona outbreak in several apartment blocks. A quarantine was imposed on hundreds of residents many of whom are Romanian families. The health official in charge says the quarantine needs to be enforced. The police is the last resort.

Monday, June 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 187,518 (07:44 a.m. CEDT)

Germany and most other E.U. and Schengen countries open their borders for each other’s citizens and residence permit holders. There are some exceptions.

In Berlin, the health authorities are fighting a Corona outbreak in an apartment building. The residents were put in quarantine.

Sunday, June 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 187,267 (1:45 p.m. CEDT)

“In the coming days”, the German government will finally release its ‘Corona App’ for smartphones which is supposed to alert users when they have been in contact with persons infected with the Coronavirus. Originally, the application was supposed to be ready in April.

Saturday, June 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 187,226 (10:20 a.m. CEDT)

The German-Polish border, which had been closed three months ago because of the Coronavirus, reopens. At some crossing points located on bridges across the Oder and Neisse rivers, people from both countries celebrate the event early on Saturday morning.

Germans and citizens from other nations who cross into Poland are being warned to be careful, since there are strict Corona rules. Those who disobey them may have to pay extremely high fines.

Friday, June 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 186,691 (09:08 a.m. CEDT)

For a few days now, the number of new Coronavirus cases has been extremely low, in spite of large protests and other gatherings in the past few weeks. Those events have not lead to more infections, it seems.

In Berlin, Chancellery Minister Helge Braun asked the Germans to keep on following the distance and contact rules. The fact that the number of infected was low had to do with the discipline most Germans were showing, Braun said in a television talk show.

Thursday, June 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 186,525 (12:15 p.m. CEDT)

Germany’s neighbor Poland has announced it would reopen the borders to its E.U. neighbors on Friday, June 12th, 2020, at midnight.

Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 186,522 (12:38 p.m. CEDT)

The German government extends its travel warning for about 160 countries in the world until the end of August. At the same time, inner-European borders, including the ones Germany shares with several neighboring countries, are being opened gradually. By June 15th, people may cross most of them.

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 186,233 (11:30 a.m. CEDT)

Thuringia is the first federal state in Germany to dump the contact restrictions, meaning people will be allowed to gather with as many people as they like, from an unlimited number of households.

The Corona rules for all 16 federal states in Germany can be found here.

Mainly because of Corona, Germany’s exports took an enormous hit. In April of 2020, they decreased by almost one third compared to April of last year. The loss is 75.7 billion Euro (85.1 billion U.S. Dollars or 67.3 Pounds Sterling).

Monday, June 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 185,750 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

At some spots in Germany, protesters and domestic tourists gathered in large crowds this past weekend without following the distance rule. In Berlin, Hamburg, Koblenz, a tourist site in Lower Saxony and elsewhere, police tried to control the crowds.

Sunday, June 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 185,450 (07:20 a.m. CEDT)

The health authority in Vorpommern-Rügen county is dealing with a Corona outbreak among Catholic worshippers who took part in prayer services during the Pentecost holiday a week ago. At least eight individuals, including a priest, are infected. As many as 350 people are in quarantine.

Saturday, June 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 184,924 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Interior Minister Horst Seehofer says a vaccine against COVID-19 was the most important aspect. In a newspaper interview, he states he believes there might be one towards the end of the year, or even earlier.

The number of new Corona infections per day is below 500 these days.

Friday, June 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 184,472 (07:55 a.m. CEDT)

For the first time since the Corona crisis hit Germany months ago, there are no big issues. The authorities in the port city of Bremerhaven are dealing with a relatively high number of new infections. But the nationwide new infections numbers are still low. Most Germans seem to be following the rules.

Thursday, June 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 184,121 (09:00 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, the federal government comes up with a giant economic stimulus program worth 130 billion Euro (146 billion U.S. Dollars or 116 billion Pounds Sterling). Its purpose is to increase buying power and to jump-start the German economy after Corona turned it into lasagna.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 184,097 (12:40 p.m. CEDT)

The government is busy finalizing a giant economic stimulus package worth up to 100 billion Euro (112 billion U.S. Dollars or 89 billion Pounds Sterling). From June 15th, 2020, Germans will be allowed to travel to 31 countries. And in Berlin, the Corona numbers do not look too good anymore.

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 183,594 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

In spite of warnings according to which a second Coronavirus wave would hit because of the lifting of bans and the easing on restrictions, nothing of the kind has happened so far. In fact, the number of new infections in Germany is extremely low.

The city state of Berlin is lifting several restrictions today. Pubs may now open. Of course, strict rules apply. Gyms, ballet schools, casinos, gambling halls, churches, mosques and synagogues have the right to reopen as well.

Monday, June 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 183.410 (09:20 a.m. CEDT)

In Thuringia’s Sonneberg county, Germany’s latest local Corona outbreak was reported. Police in different parts of the country had to end big gatherings because the participants ignored the Corona rules. And infected German police instructors were evacuated from Afghanistan.

Sunday, May 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 183,189 (09:00 a.m. CEDT)

Berlin is ready to approve yet another Corona aid package. This time, the idea is to jump-start the German economy. The volume is 75 to 80 billion Euro (83 to 89 billion U.S. Dollars or 68 to 72 billion Pounds Sterling).

Saturday, May 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 182,922 (09:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel refuses to travel to the United States of America for the next G7 summit, citing Corona as the reason. On the other hand, Presidents Trump and Macron believe that taking part in person is important.

Friday, May 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 182,450 (10:25 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s federal states keep on lifting Corona restrictions. In Berlin, pubs will be allowed to open on June 2nd, 2020. The same applies to fitness centers. Protests with an unlimited number of people are legal again starting on May 30th. But in all cases, strict rules apply.

Thursday, May 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 181,524 (10:00 a.m. CEDT)

After talks with the First Ministers of Germany’s eastern federal states, Chancellor Angela Merkel insists on a consensus on “fundamental questions”. Those include the existing distance rule and the mandatory protection for mouth and nose on public transport.

She also says the Corona crisis would be the focus during Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The latter starts in two months and three days from now.

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 181,200 (07:30 a.m. CEDT)

According to German-language media, there is an agreement between the Chancellery in Berlin and Germany’s federal states on the Corona rules. Until the end of June, gatherings of up to 10 people from up to two different households in public will be allowed. The compromise might end a big dispute that had hit the headlines in the past two days.

Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 180,600 (08:20 a.m. CEDT)

Because Thuringia intends to get rid of the main Corona rules in early June, its neighboring federal state of Bavaria threatens it with “countermeasures”.

Germany’s federal government plans to lift the global travel warning for 31 states on June 15th. Those are all E.U. member countries as well as the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Monday, May 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 180,338 (1:30 p.m. CEDT)

Germany’s federal state of Thuringia intends to throw the main Corona rules overboard in early June. This plan triggers citicism and fears in Berlin, Bavaria and other parts of the country.

In the meantime, the reproduction number in Berlin is increasing more than it should, which is another reason for alarm bells to ring.

Sunday, May 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 179,986 (08:45 a.m. CEDT)

Local Corona outbreaks at a restaurant in Lower Saxony and a prayer hall in Hesse highlight the danger the virus still poses.

Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 179,710 (09:05 a.m. CEDT)

The German tour operator TUI says it intends to fly German vacationers to Mallorca and other destinations in June. The Berlin government might actually play along. It wants to get rid of its global travel warning on June 15th.

Friday, May 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 179,021 (09:15 a.m. CEDT)

Bavaria intends to test far more people for Corona from now on, according to First Minister Markus Söder. Staff in hospitals and care facilities have priority. Söder also wants all kindergarten kids return to day care before the summer holidays.

Because of the Corona pandemic, Germany’s tax revenue slumped by more than 25 percent in April.

Thursday, May 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 178,473 (08:30 a.m. CEDT)

Angela Merkel reiterates any Corona vaccine needed to be available to the entire world. Tendencies of protectionism in this regard were not helpful, the Chancellor says.

She also states a deal with Lufthansa was imminent. Because of Corona, the giant airline says it needs 9 billion Euro (9.87 billion U.S. Dollars or 8.09 billion Pounds Sterling). The Federal Republic of Germany will become a shareholder again.

Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 177,778 (07:20 a.m. CEDT)

After dealing with Corona outbreaks at slaughterhouses, the German authorities are now turning their attention to two refugee hostels in which outbreaks have been reported. Dozens of people are affected.

Berlin just scrapped the quarantine rule for travelers. This means people coming in from E.U. countries, Iceland, Switzerland or the United Kingdom do not have to go into quarantine anymore.

Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 176,551 (08:10 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Coronavirus in Germany shrinks to less than 200 per day.

Critics are already commenting on the giant European aid package Chancellor Angela Merkel and her French colleague President Emmanuel Macron proposed. Merkel intends to convince Eastern European governments in a video conference today.

Monday, May 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 176,369 (08:40 a.m. CEDT)

After several Corona outbreaks have occurred at slaughterhouses in Germany, Chancellor Merkel’s ‘Corona Cabinet’ was going to discuss the issue on Monday. Foreign Minister Maas is scheduled to hold talks with several of his colleagues from several countries about ways to make travel possible for the upcoming summer vacations.

Sunday, May 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 176,244 (10:45 a.m. CEDT)

German authorities, including the Federal Criminal Police Office, are worried about the growing number of protesting Corona deniers who are mingling with right-wing extremists.

Saturday, May 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 175,233 (08:50 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin and other German cities, Corona deniers stage protests again. Police arrests several participants. Counter-protests take place as well.

While reopening restaurants add to the sense of normality, the Coronavirus has not been defeated. Germany’s Chancellery Minister Helge Braun is turning the attention to a time at which there is a vaccination against Corona. He says the latter would not be mandatory.

Friday, May 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 174,478 (08:17 a.m. CEDT)

The government of North Rhine-Westphalia announces the suspension of the quarantine rule for E.U. travelers in Germany. This would mean individuals who enter Germany from E.U. countries or the United Kingdom do not have to go into a 14-day quarantine anymore. The step will supposedly be announced within days.

Thursday, May 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 174,098 (09:00 a.m. CEDT)

At the Berlin Bundestag, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a deficit of almost 100 billion Euro caused by the Coronavirus.

After Interior Minister Seehofer’s announcement on borders, it becomes clear the measures will mainly benefit the few who were allowed to cross beforehand. The national discussion about borders continues. While some demand more caution, others want more borders to open sooner than mid-June.

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 173,171 (07:38 a.m. CEDT)

In the late morning, Interior Minister Seehofer announces the easing of some restrictions at Germany’s borders to Austria, France and Switzerland. Free travel between those four countries from June 15th was his goal, he says. There are no changes at the borders to other neighboring states or third countries.

More and more voices in Germany and Europe are calling for a reopening of borders within the European Union. It has been two months since Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced their closure in a situation that was very different.

In Berlin, a makeshift Corona hospital is completed. So far, it is not being needed. Its staff is on standby.

Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 172,576 (07:45 a.m. CEDT)

While Chancellor Merkel tells Germans to be careful in this “new phase” of the Corona pandemic, others are calling for a retraction of even more Corona rules.

Monday, May 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 171,879 (12:00 noon)

In Germany, there are four counties and one city which exceeded the maximum number of new Corona infections defined by Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers last week. In those regions, new lockdowns are supposed to apply. But it is not happening.

More bad news: The Coronavirus reproduction rate is increasing, while Germany is easing restrictions and lifting bans.

Sunday, May 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 171,324 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

Because of the way they handle the Corona crisis, support for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU and First Minister Markus Söder’s CSU is skyrocketing. The two conservative parties now stand at 40 percent.

Saturday, May 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 171,324 (evening)

In Berlin, Stuttgart and other places, thousands demonstrate against the Corona rules. People who believe in conspiracy theories about Corona are part of the rallies. Police try to make sure the distance rules are being adhered to.

Friday, May 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 169,430 (07:40 a.m. CEDT)

In the past 48 hours, the number of Coronavirus cases in Germany has been growing by more than 1,000 per day again. But Professor Christian Drosten, one of the leading virologists in Germany, expresses cautious optimism. In a podcast published by NDR Radio, he said he was worried about the fall and winter though.

Another discussion in Germany deals with this question: Who may visit the country’s Baltic Sea beaches?

Thursday, May 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 168,162 (11:15 a.m. CEDT)

On the 101st day after the first Coronavirus case was confirmed in Germany, the federal states are discussing the way they want to interpret the new Corona rules they agreed to on Wednesday. Chancellor Merkel’s federal government will take less decisions of this kind from now on, meaning the provinces and city states will do what they feel is right to keep Corona under control.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 167,007 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Merkel and the First Ministers from the federal states ease several Corona restrictions. Even the food service industry will be back in business. In case the number of Coronavirus cases grows too much, restrictions can be put back in place in counties or towns. The distance rule still applies, while the contact rule got a modification.

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 166,152 (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

In the early afternoon, Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder announces plans to open up his federal state in many areas. The step-by-step approach goes farther than any other state within Germany has up to this moment. Restaurants will open. So will hotels, kindergartens, schools, playgrounds and museums. Bavarians will be allowed to leave their homes without any specific reason.

Lower Saxony is the first federal state in Germany to announce a reopening of restaurants. First Minister Stephan Weil wants to take that step on May 11th. At first, strict rules will apply. Other states, such as Saxony and Thuringia are considering this kind of approach too. On Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel and all sixteen First Ministers are scheduled to have another online meeting during which they intend to discuss the easing of restrictions.

In the meantime, the German virologist Hendrik Streeck introduces his ‘Heinsberg Survey’ which deals with Corona infections in the town of Heinsberg. In the study, he comes to a conclusion about the number of infected persons in all of Germany. He says there might be 1.8 million.

Monday, May 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 165,664 (07:40 a.m. CEDT)

The number of new Corona infections per day is now below 1,000. According to experts, individual Coronavirus cases are traceable at this pace.

Two days ahead of another online meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers, one federal state, namely Saxony-Anhalt, already eased the contact rule. Starting today, any person may meet with up to four individuals who live in different households, meaning any groups of up to five people in total may gather. First Minister Haseloff is being criticized for the step.

Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 164,967 (09:10 a.m. CEDT)

There is no end in sight what Germany’s discussion about the Corona restrictions is concerned. Now courts are throwing some of them overboard in some regions. The government is not happy.

The Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, Seehofer and Maas, reject international trips for Germans in the upcoming summer vacations.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is getting ready for a fundraiser for the development of a Corona vaccine.

Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 164,000+ (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

With European colleagues, Chancellor Merkel is hoping to be able to collect 7.5 billion Euro (8.3 billion U.S. Dollars or 6.7 billion Pounds Sterling) for research on Corona. The goal is to have a vaccination against the virus and a medication against COVID-19. A donor conference is scheduled for Monday.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the head of Merkel’s party CDU, tells Germans to hang in there. Persistence and discipline were important, she says.

Friday, May 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 163.000+ (08:00 a.m. CEDT)

In Berlin, 130 individuals are being arrested at illegal Labor Day protests staged by conspiracy theorists who either do not believe in the existence of the Coronavirus or blame it on America and “the Jews”, and by radical left-wingers who intend to fight “the system”. Hundreds of protesters ignore the Corona rules. Five thousand police officers are on duty.

Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Thursday, April 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 161,500+ (07:55 a.m. CEDT)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers of Germany’s sixteen federal states postpone several decisions. But they agree on reopening playgrounds, museums and schools.

Bavaria’s head of First Minister Markus Söder says Corona was “a marathon in which we do not know where the finish line is.”

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 159,900+ (10:00 a.m. CEDT)

Germany’s federal government intends to prolong the worldwide travel ban that was put in place by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in March, according to a German media report.

Masks are now compulsory in public transport and shops in all of Germany.

Left-wing extremists intend to stage their usual protests in Berlin on May 1st in spite of Corona. The Berlin Police Department is facing a challenge.

Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 158,700+ (08:10 a.m. CEDT)

Because the pressure seems to be lessening, Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn now intends to decrease the number of ICU beds reserved for COVID-19 patients. He wants them to return to normality.

Monday, April 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 157,700+ (07:10 a.m. CEDT)

Ninety-one days after the first Coronavirus case was confirmed in Germany, wearing protective masks in public transport becomes mandatory in many parts of the country. But every federal state has its own rules. Why make things simple if they can be complicated?

Sunday, April 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 156,000+ (07:50 a.m. CEDT)

China is trying to influence German officials. According to a report by ‘Welt am Sonntag’, Beijing wants them to talk about China’s fight against Corona favorably and in public.

Because of Corona, Germany will have to contribute more to the next E.U. budget than originally anticipated, Chancellor Merkel says.

Saturday, April 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 154,545 (8:30 a.m. CEDT)

Hundreds of conspiracy theorists take part in a forbidden protest against Germany’s anti-Corona measures in Berlin. Dozens of protesters are arrested.

Even though there is no vaccine against the Coronavirus or COVID-19, the German government is thinking about the question who will get it first once it is available. Health Minister Jens Spahn says medical staff and high risk groups should be first in line.

Berlin is now putting together its next aid package. This time, bus operators are supposed to be saved.

Friday, April 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 153,100+ (8:30 a.m.)

In Berlin, some surreal scenes are being observed, including hundreds of empty chairs at Brandenburg Gate. Of course this protest is related to the Corona crisis as well.

Photo: Imanuel Marcus

At the Berlin Bundestag, the opposition slams Angela Merkel’s anti-Corona policies. The Chancellor herself says the country was walking “on very thin ice.”

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 150,600+ (8:25 a.m.)

The number of persons infected with the Coronavirus in Germany exceeds 150,000.

In Berlin, the coalition parties agree on an additional Corona aid package worth billions of Euro. It is supposed to help employees, people who lost their jobs because of Corona, mid-sized and small companies, students and schools.

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 148,400+ (9:45 a.m.)

It looks like the Coronavirus reproduction number in Germany is increasing again. According to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, it stood at 0.7 only last week. Now it is supposedly back at 0.9. If it reaches a value of 1.1, Germany’s health system will be overburdened in October. At 1.2, the same situation will occur in July. This leads to the question whether the easing of some Corona restrictions in Germany was premature.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 147,000+ (09:30 a.m.)

In Berlin and the capitals of Germany’s federal states, the discussion about easing the Corona rules more is continuing. Two First Ministers are being accused of engaging in a “cockfight” during the crisis.

In Bavaria, First Minister Markus Söder and Dieter Reiter, the First Mayor of Munich, announce the cancellation of this year’s Oktoberfest.

Monday, April 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 145,700+ (07:30 a.m.)

One of the big questions many Germans are asking themselves today: “Will we spend the summer vacation on the balcony?

At a press conference in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel says advancing too fast on the easing of Corona restrictions might be a mistake. She reminds the federal states that “Germany is not out of the woods yet.”

In Germany, certain shops are supposed to be reopened today. But some federal states decide to implement their own rules, meaning some retail businesses will have to wait longer.

Sunday, April 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 143,700+ (8:30 a.m.)

Germany’s Commerce Minister Peter Altmaier says the country needs billions of protective masks. A majority of Germans now want them to be mandatory in public.

During the weekend, police ended protests, parties and a soccer match.

Saturday, April 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 141,900+ (4:30 p.m.)

The new Corona rules in Germany lead to lawsuits being filed against the state by Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, a large company that owns department stores all over Germany. They say if other stores, such as Ikea, are permitted to open, so should they. Two courts reject their claim.

Another problem the state is facing is Corona aid fraud. In Berlin alone, 41 such cases are already being investigated by the police and the prosecutor’s office.

Friday, April 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 137,600+ (07:50 a.m.)

Germany’s federal states are adjusting the new Corona rules they agreed to on Wednesday. In some of them, school will start earlier, in others later. North Rhine-Westphalia is surging ahead in several ways. In Berlin, Foreign Minister Maas sharply criticizes U.S. President Trump for ceasing payments to the WHO.

Thursday, April 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 134,700+ (07:40 a.m.)

Germany takes the first steps back to reality by lifting some restrictions that concerned retail and education. Chancellor Merkel and the First Minister from all sixteen federal states also decided to support German companies regarding the development of a vaccine. They said a vaccine was the key to a return to a normal daily routine.

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 132,000+ (07:20 a.m.)

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the First Ministers from Germany’s federal states ease some Corona restrictions. Shops of certain kinds and sizes may open from April 20th, 2020. On May 4th, schools will reopen in part.

Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 130,000+ (08:30 a.m.)

Germany is eagerly waiting to hear from the government after Chancellor Merkel’s video conference with the First Ministers of Germany’s 16 federal states tomorrow. Decisions about a possible lifting of the Corona restrictions, or changes to them, will be taken. New rules might be added, existing ones could also be tightened.

During the Easter weekend, most Berliners behaved well by keeping their distance. The city’s parks provided lots of room for everyone, but there were exceptions.

Monday, April 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 127,800+ (08:30 a.m.)

According to a fresh poll, a majority of Germans want a prolongation of the Corona rules, including the contact restrictions put in place on March 23rd, 2020. Decisions will be taken later this week.

Sunday, April 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 125,000+ (07:45 a.m.)

In the early morning of Easter Sunday, the number of people infected with the Coronavirus stands above 125,000. So far, 2,871 people have died. While every person who died of COVID-19 is one too many, the number of related deaths is still low compared to other countries. More than 58,000 individuals who used to be infected are cured.

In an Easter speech to the nation, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says ‘The World that Lies Ahead Will Be Different’.

Saturday, April 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 122,000+ (8:00 a.m.)

Germany has a total of 122,171 Coronavirus cases this morning. There were 2,736 Corona-related deaths. At least 55,980 former Coronavirus patients have been healed.

The Berlin government now fears an ‘isolation fatigue’ that might complicate things.

Friday, April 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 118,000+ (8:00 a.m.)

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announces a giant European aid package worth more than 500 billion Euro. Member states that were hit by the Corona pandemic the hardest are supposed to benefit. So are companies and employees.

During the Easter holidays, police all over Germany are supposed to monitor the situation in parks and cities, at beaches and lakes. The ‘contact ban’ and other restrictions are still in place. In Berlin alone, 500 police offers will be busy with this task every day.

Thursday, April 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 113,000+ (5:00 p.m.)

Chancellor Angela Merkel says the latest numbers made her “cautiously hopeful”, but discipline was still important over the Easter holidays. “We will have to live with the pandemic for a considerable time“, she states.

Health Minister Jens Spahn says he believes an easing of the restrictions might be feasible after Easter.

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 107,600+ (8:00 a.m.)

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller apologizes to the U.S. in connection with accusations he and his Senator Geisel had made regarding a large order of protective masks that never reached Berlin.

North Rhine-Westphalia wants a schedule for the easing of restrictions. Saxony might decide on lifting some of the latter on its own.

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 105,600+ (08:30 p.m.)

Because of the Corona crisis and its implications, Lufthansa Group announces it will get rid of the Germanwings brand name, many aircraft and employees. The measures will also affect the subsidiaries Austrian and Swiss.

It is day no. 15 since the ‘contact ban’ was imposed on the Germans, and day no. 71 since the first Coronavirus case was reported in Germany. While neighboring countries such das Austria and Denmark are getting ready to lift restrictions, Germany is persistently sticking to them.

The Numbers
Date and time: April 7th, 2020, 12:30 p.m.
Day no. since first Corona case in Germany: 71
Day no. since ‘contact ban’ commenced: 15
Total Corona cases: 103,000+
Corona-related deaths: 1,810
Minimum number of cured: 36,081
Number of cases in federal states:
Schleswig-Holstein: 1,700+
Hamburg: 3,000+
Lower Saxony: 6,200+
Bremen: 390+
Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania: 500+
Berlin: 3,800+
Brandenburg: 1,500+
Saxony-Anhalt: 1,000+
Thuringia: 1,200+
North Rhine-Westphalia: 21,500+
Rhineland-Palatinate: 3,900+
Saarland: 1,600+
Hesse: 4,800+
Saxony: 3.000+
Baden-Württemberg: 20,000+
Bavaria: 26,000+
Sources: Johns Hopkins University, regional health authorities, German-language press

Monday, April 6th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 100,000+ (6:50 a.m.)

Angela Merkel calls the Corona crisis a “symmetric shock” that affected everyone. She said it was too early to go back to a normal public life. Germany would not follow Austria on this. In Vienna, Chancellor Kurz had announced smaller shops would reopen on April 14th, 2020.

Now there are more than 100,000 Coronavirus cases in Germany. If the numbers from China are accurate, which many Europeans doubt, Germany is among the four countries most affected.

The Berlin government is now preparing for “the most difficult part”, according to Chancellery Minister Helge Braun.

This past weekend, the streets of Berlin were rather empty. It is the German capital’s new look. (‘Berlin in Early April of 2020: A Corona Weekend in Photos‘)

Sunday, April 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 96,000+ (8:00 a.m.)

As the number of people infected with the Coronavirus approached 100,000 in Germany, politicians reminded people of the rules and told them to stay at home over the upcoming Easter holiday. The government feared more people might ignore the ‘contact ban’ because of the rising temperatures.

Saturday, April 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 91,000+ (08:10 a.m.)

Chancellor Angela Merkel comes out of her own quarantine two days early. She says there was “a glimmer of hope”, but it was far too early to ease any restrictions. She prepares Germany for a very different Easter.

‘3M’ disputes there is any order to protective masks from China for the Berlin Police Department, after the Berlin Senate had accused the U.S. of confiscation 200,000 masks. Then it turns out the masks were ordered through a German vendor, a company that ordered them in Asia. From there, they were supposedly “rerouted” to the U.S..

Friday, April 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 87,200+ (6:10 p.m.)

The Berlin Senate accuses U.S. President Donald Trump of “modern day piracy” after 200,000 protective masks the Berlin Police Department had ordered were “confiscated in Bangkok”. The masks were made by the American manufacturer ‘3M’ in China. They had already been paid for when the Germans suddenly were “outbid”.

Germany now has more Coronavirus cases than China officially does. The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 now exceeds 1,100.

The German government is hoping, a Malaria medication might help patients with a severe disease progress.

This is day no. 11 of the ‘contact ban’ in Germany, and day no. 67 since the first Coronavirus case was reported in Germany.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 81,700+ (5:58 p.m.)

Germany might soon exceed the official number of infected persons in China. More than 77,900 Germans and other residents are infected at 11:25 a.m.. By 6 p.m. that number rises to more than 81,700.

According to the German Hospital Federation, the capacity of ICUs in Germany has been increased by 12,000 to 40,000 beds right now. Some 30,000 of them are equipped with respirators.

In many areas, Berlin seems like a ghost town. Where the morning rush hour would slow everyone down in normal times, hardly any cars are in sight. At Central Station, very few passengers are arriving or departing. (‘Empty, emptier, Berlin: The Morning of Day No. 66‘).

Berlin in the early morning. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 76,000+ (8:55 p.m.)

While the number of Coronavirus cases keeps in increasing, it does so at a lower pace, at least in Berlin. Most recently, it took seven days for the number of infected persons to double in the German capital. Before, it doubled in less days. This good news item does not mean the crisis is about to end, but that the ‘contact ban’ and other measures that were taken in Germany seem to be showing their first expected effect.

In the evening, Chancellor Angela Merkel tells the nation to “hang in there”. Going on trips, visiting people or attending prayer services at churches would not be possible this Easter.

By 8:55 p.m. on this day, 858 people in Germany had died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the Coronavirus.

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 66,000+

Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder prolongs the ‘contact ban’ and other measures until after the Easter vacation. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert and others agree it is too early to even consider easing the measures.

Monday, March 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 62,000+

Sixty-three days after the first Coronavirus case was confirmed in Germany, there are more than 62,000 infected persons (early morning) and 541 deaths. The premature discussion about an easing of the ‘contact ban’ continues.

Sunday, March 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 57,000+

In Germany, the numbers keep on rising. The encouraging numbers the country is waiting for have not shown up so far. Within for days, the number of Corona-related deaths more than doubled.

Police end gathering and protests, the German air force picks up Italian Corona patients and big companies are being criticized for announcing to stop paying rents for their closed stores.

Saturday, March 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 56,000+ (8:00 p.m.)

Berlin on March 28th, 2020.

Number of cases exceeds 50,000 in the early morning. By 10:40 a.m., more than 53,000 infections and 395 deaths are confirmed. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in quarantine herself, sends and audio greeting to the nation and asks people to keep following the rules while Germany’s armed forces are getting ready to help out with 15,000 soldiers.

Friday, March 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 44,400+ (9:00 a.m.)

A quarantined Chancellor, Angela Merkel, says it was too early for discussions about ending the ‘contact ban’ put in place on Monday. She contradicts her own Chancellery Minister who had said young Germans would be allowed to be back on the streets first.

The Berlin government’s pickup endeavor for stranded German tourists around the world continues. On a flight from Lima to Frankfurt, the Germans brings along 27 Israeli tourists who were in the same situation.

The number of Corona-related deaths in Germany is now increasing rapidly.

Thursday, March 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 41,600+ (6:00 p.m.)

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stresses that solidarity was important, within Germany and in Europe. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller vows Berlin would “fight for every life”.

For now, the number of infected persons keeps on rising, in spite of the nationwide ‘contact ban’. The government and virologists involved in big decisions are hoping for an effect that might show within days.

The increasing number of COVID-19 deaths is alarming. Out of the 206 patients who died since the crisis began, 49 died on Wednesday.

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 33,900+ (10:25 a.m.)

As the number of cases keeps on rising, the Berlin Bundestag was going to vote on Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ giant Corona aid package worth 156 billion Euro (169 billion U.S. Dollars or 142 Pounds Sterling).

More federal states, including Berlin, say they want to have more Italian virus patients treated at their hospitals. European solidarity can save lives.

Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 30,000+ (12:50 p.m.)

German hospitals in three federal states, namely Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Saxony, are treating Coronavirus patients from France and Italy.

Monday, March 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 29,000+

As the ‘contact ban’ kicks in all over Germany, the numbers are still on the rise. There might be one glimmer of hope though, for the first time since it all started. According to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, the number of cured Germans is rising. But it is hard or even impossible to track that number reliably because hospitals and doctors are not required to report healed patients.

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 26,200+ (12:10 p.m.)

Angela Merkel announces a ‘contact’ ban that is supposed to come into effect on Monday. It was agreed to by her government and all sixteen federal states. Afterwards, Merkel herself needs to go into quarantine.

The Berlin government is setting up aid programs for tenants, parents and businesses. For these projects, Germany will go into more debt. There is talk about 150 billion Euro (161 billion U.S. Dollars or 139 billion Pounds Sterling).

As the number of Corona cases keeps on skyrocketing, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the first ministers of Germany’s sixteen federal states will gather online this afternoon, in order to talk about further measures they might take. Curfews in all states are possible. So far, Bavaria and the Saarland have taken steps of this kind.

These days, a lot depends on the right decisions. Hence, we ask the following question: How Good are Germany’s Top Corona Crisis Managers?

Saturday, March 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 20,000+ (11:17 a.m.)

In the late morning, the number of people infected with the Coronavirus in Germany hits 20,000.

In Bavaria and Saarland, curfews kick in.

Friday, March 20th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 17,500+ (2:30 p.m.)

The number of infected individuals increases more rapidly every day. It doubled since Monday, tripled within five days and quintupled within a week.

Freiburg is the first city to restrict its residents’ freedom of movement. The measure is supposed to come into effect on Saturday. A few hours later, Bavaria announces a curfew that will take effect on Saturday. The Saarland will likely follow suit.

Thursday, March 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 15,000+ (20:40 hrs.)

The speed at which the number of infected persons rose in the past 36 hours in unprecedented. Experts believe the rate will increase further. Morning update: ‘Coronavirus in Germany: Number of Infected Rises by 3,000 in One Day‘.

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 12,000+

Angela Merkel tells the Germans this crisis was the biggest challenge since World War II. It was imperative to adhere to the rules and keep distance.

Berlin is very quiet in the city center in the morning, but hundreds of Berliners meet at parks in the afternoon. Nobody seems to care or keep any distance to anyone.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the number of infected people in Germany hits 10,000 and skyrockets to 12,000 in the evening.

In several parts of Germany, strict new measures designed to curb the virus’ spread are kicking in. Germany has become a high risk country in Europe as the number of infected persons is expected to exceed 10,000 today. The industry is in deep trouble. Volkswagen ceases its production.

Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 8600+

Berlin announced a special hospital for Coronavirus patients which the city state will set up in cooperation with Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr. It will have 1,000 beds.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announces efforts to retrieve stranded German tourists from abroad. For this “concerted action”, Germany allocates 50 million Euro.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) increases the health risk level for people in Germany from moderate to high. The RKI’s director Professor Lothar Wieler says there were alarming signs from hospitals in Germany according to which more and more Coronavirus patients with severe disease processes were being treated.

Bavaria’s First Minister Markus Söder says Germany should react and decide more quickly in the Coronavirus Crisis.

Monday, March 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 7000+

The number of infected hits 7000. Bavaria declares a disaster situation and Chancellor Merkel announces new measures, including the closure of churches, shops, casinos and sports clubs.

Sunday, March 15th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 5800+

As the number of infected people in Germany approaches 6,000, Germany’s Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announces the closure of the country’s borders to Luxemburg, France, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark. This measure will kick in on Monday morning at 8 a.m. CET. Deliveries, commuters, returning Germans and returning individuals with residence permits have the right to enter the country though.

Berlin and other federal states come up with new measures that are supposed to slow down the development. Berlin forbids events with 50 or more people. More businesses, even casinos and brothels, are forced to close. There are exceptions for restaurants. (Read separate article on latest developments, entitled Germany: Coronavirus Crisis Takes on Dramatic Scale)

Saturday, March 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 4181

On Saturday evening, the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases exceeds 4000. Chancellor Merkel announces a new Cabinet Committee that will take decisions “for the safety and health of the people”. In most federal states, most schools and kindergartens close. On Tuesday, Berlin’s clubs and bars will be forced to shut down. Governing Mayor Michael Müller asks Berliners for their understanding. “Everyone will feel the restrictions. This phase is very important. I am asking you for solidarity, especially with elderly people”, Müller says.

Friday, March 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 3100+

In a dramatic development, the number of infected persons jumps to 2700 in the morning and to more than 3100 in the afternoon. Germany’s largest federal state North Rhine-Westphalia has more than 1000 cases, which is what the entire country had only five days ago. Chancellor Angela Merkel says she wants to save lives and keep the economy going.

Thursday, March 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 2100+

The number of Coronavirus infections hits 2100 in the late morning. President Steinmeier cancels appointments, at Berlin’s universities the start of the next semester is being postponed. Hamburg announces new rules for events. Lufthansa and Europe’s other airlines are forced to deal with Trump’s new travel ban. (Read separate article ‘Germany: Coronavirus Crisis Leads to More Restrictions, Closures and Cancellations’)

Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 Coronavirus cases; 1500+

“We need to pass the test”, Chancellor Angela Merkel says. During a press conference, she talks about measures Germany and Europe are taking, and about priorities. It was all about protecting people, she states. (Read separate article entitled ‘Merkel on Coronavirus: ‘We Need to Pass the Test’)

Germany reports a third Coronavirus death.

Germany and the European Union are determined to fight the virus. For that purpose, they are putting a lot of money on the table. (Read separate article ‘Germany Steps Up Fight Against Coronavirus’).

Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Germany 
(as of March 11th, in the early morning) Total: 1565
Schleswig-Holstein: 9
Hamburg: 35
Lower Saxony: 66
Bremen: 22
Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania: 13
Berlin: 58
Brandenburg: 16
Saxony-Anhalt: 8
Thuringia: 8
North Rhine-Westphalia: 648
Rhineland-Palatinate: 25
Saarland: 7
Hesse: 35
Saxony: 24
Baden-Württemberg: 277
Bavaria: 314

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1300+

By Tuesday evening, 1317 people in Germany are infected with Covid19. Chancellor Angela Merkel says the authorities all over Germany should persistently fight the virus and all non-existential events should be cancelled. At this stage, there is no national rule for events with many people.

Berlin closes its opera, concert halls and theaters, other federal state, such as Bavaria, are taking a similar approach to slow down the spread of the virus.

Angela Merkel says, 60 to 70 percent of all Germans would be infected with the Coronavirus.

Monday, March 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1150+

The numbers are going through the roof. More than 1150 people are infected in Germany. The Coronavirus affects everything. The DAX index slumps in Frankfurt, Health Minister Spahn wants events for more than 1000 people cancelled.

Sunday, March 8th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1000+

Twelve days after the second Coronavirus wave hit Germany, the number of confirmed cases exceeds 1000. The first German citizen dies of a Covid19 infection during a stay in Egypt

One police officer is among the 28 official Coronavirus cases in Berlin. The police department says he had gotten infected during his free time. Thirty-five of his colleagues are now in quarantine, just in case.

Related article: Coronavirus in Germany: No End in Sight

Coronavirus cases in Germany’s federal states, as of March 8th, in the morning:

Schleswig-Holstein: 8
Hamburg: 13
Lower Saxony: 19
Bremen: 4
Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania: 6
Berlin: 28
Brandenburg: 2
Saxony-Anhalt: 0
Thuringia: 2
North Rhine-Westphalia: 377
Rhineland-Palatinate: 13
Saarland: 3
Hesse: 17
Saxony: 4
Baden-Württemberg: 170
Bavaria: 134

Saturday, March 7th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 800

Coronavirus infections are still on the rise. By now, 800 individuals in Germany are infected. The economical impact is starting to show too.

Friday, March 6th, 2020 Coronavirus Cases: 600+

Now, 15 days after the second wave hit Germany, the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases exceeds 600. The number tripled with 48 hours. All put one federal state are affected. The largest one, North Rhine-Westphalia, has 300+ virus patients. Health Minister Jens Spahn tells Germans to refrain from going there.

Thursday, March 5th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 400+

Within two days, the number of infected people in Germany more than doubled. In the late evening of this day, it stands at 543. Berlin has 15 cases now. The federal states affected most are North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

At the Virchov Clinic in Berlin, suspected cases are being tested. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 260+

The number of cases exceeds 260. Saxony-Anhalt is the only federal state not affected. More big events, such as the Leipzig Book Fair, are being cancelled. The same applies to an anti-terror exercise in Berlin, where six Coronavirus cases are confirmed and hundreds are in quarantine, eight days after the second wave in Germany started. (Latest article: Germany: Almost all Federal States Hit by Coronavirus)

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 180+

There are now 180 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Germany, including in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia, regions that had been ‘green’ on the virus map until now. In Berlin, two schools closed. In many regions supermarket shelves that usually contain certain items are empty. Durable food and toilet paper are in high demand.

Monday, March 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 152

The number of cases has exceeded 150. North Rhine-Westphalia still has the largest infection cluster. In the meantime, the first Coronavirus patient in Berlin is in quarantine at an isolation ward at the Virchow Clinic. The health authorities in the German capital are looking for his contact persons. Sixty have been identified. It was quite an ordeal the patient went through. Two more patients test positive in the evening.

The Charité Virchow Clinic in Berlin is treating one Coronavirus patient. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

In virtually all western German provinces and city states, around 100 people are now infected with the Coronavirus. In the late evening the Berlin authorities say the first Coronavirus patient had been put in quarantine.

Saturday, February 29th, 2020

Within four days, since February 25th, the number of Coronavirus cases in Germany has exceeded 60. Thirty-seven of them were confirmed in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s largest federal state. New ones in Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony and elsewhere have to be added to the list. Dozens of primary school children in Bonn are being tested and quarantined because one of their caretakers in infected.

Friday, February 28th, 2020

The travel trade fair ITB is being cancelled. Up to 180,000 participants from all over the world had been expected.

A total of thirty new cases were reported since Tuesday. More than 1000 Germans are in quarantine. Most of them are contact persons who took part in events with confirmed cases, who worked with them or who visited hospitals the patients worked at. Since one of the Coronavirus patients is a nursery school teacher, kindergarten kids and their families are affected too.

The virus reaches Hamburg in the north, Freiburg in the south and the federal state of Hesse. So far, in the morning of February 28th, there are no confirmed cases in eastern Germany, including Berlin.

Thursday, February 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 28

In the evening 14 new cases are confirmed in North Rhine-Westphalia, a federal state in western Germany, and four more in Baden-Württemberg in the south.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer says at a Berlin press conference, breaking chains of Coronavirus infections in Germany, and controlling those coming from abroad, were the most important tasks right now. His colleague, Health Minister Jens Spahn, states the federal government’s new task force had already convened once. Airlines, train operators, shipping and bus companies would now be required to provide information about the origin of all their passengers’ journeys.

The number of new Coronavirus cases registered since Tuesday initially rises to 10, but increases to 28 in the evening. Berlin is preparing for a pandemic, just in case. (Read separate article: ‘Coronavirus in Germany: Will the Epidemic Become a Pandemic?’)

Wednesday, February 26th, 2020

Now a total of seven new cases are being reported, including the two patients who were tested positive on February 25th. A couple in North Rhine-Westphalia is among them. The woman is a nursery school teacher who was in contact with countless people, while the man, who is still in critical condition, took part in a carnival event.

Health Minister Jens Spahn orders the federal states to activate their pandemic plans while establishing a crisis management committee with the Interior Ministry.

Tuesday, February 25th, 2020

Now the Coronavirus seems to be spreading in Germany. Two new cases are being reported. In Erkelenz (North Rhine-Westphalia) one patient is in the isolation ward of a hospital in critical condition. He is 47 years old. Further south, in Göppingen county (Baden-Württemberg), another man, aged 25, was tested positive. It looks like he got infected in Milan.

Senator Geisel says Berlin might have to be cordoned off in case the spread of the Coronavirus leads to the kind of situation Italy is in. Photo by Imanuel Marcus

Berlin’s Interior Senator Andreas Geisel says the German capital, or parts of it, could be cordoned off in case the situation dictated measures of this kind. The disaster management was prepared. Geisel did concede it would not be easy to close off a city of 3.7 million inhabitants.

Monday, February 24th, 2020

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn says the epidemic had arrived. He states he believed the Coronavirus could spread in Germany as well, like in northern Italy, but the country was prepared. “We will be vigilant”, Spahn says. He promises the government would do anything to protect its citizens.

Because of the worrisome situation in Italy, where towns in the north are being cordoned off due to the exploding number of Coronavirus infections, Austria temporarily prohibits trains from there to enter the country. Two German ladies with cold symptoms and fever are being removed from one of the last trains from Venice to Munich in Verona and tested at a hospital. Those tests turn out negative.

(Read separate article ‘Germany and Austria React to Coronavirus Outbreak in Italy’)

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

In Italy, the situation suddenly worsens substantially. With three Coronavirus deaths and 117 people infected, the Italian authorities start cordoning off certain towns and cancelling big events. Germans are asking themselves whether this is what they have to expect as well.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2020

Six former passengers of the cruise ship ‘Diamond Princess’ which had been quarantined two weeks ago at the Port of Yokohama in Japan arrive in Berlin on an Italian aircraft. They are supposed to quarantined in their homes.

Friday, February 21st, 2020

Fifteen more German evacuees from Wuhan arrive in Stuttgart. They are supposed to be quarantined near Esslingen for two weeks.

Thursday, February 20th, 2020

The Red Cross announces that 20 Germans quarantined at a clinic in Berlin’s Köpenick district will be released on Sunday morning. They had been picked up in Wuhan by the British on February 8th and arrived in Berlin on the 9th.

Germans from the cruise ship ‘Diamond Princess’ will reportedly be taken to Berlin within two days. The ship is located at Yokohama port in Japan. More than 640 people on board are infected with the Coronavirus.

Sunday, February 16th, 2020

More than 100 German evacuees and their families who spent two weeks in quarantine at an Air Force base in Germersheim are being released after one more round of Coronavirus tests.

Saturday, February 15th, 2020

A total of three individuals who used to be infected with the virus are back home. They were released from hospitals in Frankfurt and Munich.

Two Germans on board the cruise ship ‘Diamond Princess’ outside Yokohama (Japan) are reportedly infected. So are 283 other passengers and crew members.

Friday, February 14th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 16

According to German-language media reports, German evacuees from Wuhan who are in quarantine at a Berlin hospital say their situation was burdensome. This applied to both them and their helpers. The number of showers and toilets was insufficient. The Red Cross states any complaints would be taken seriously.

Two German evacuees who were infected and treated at a hospital in Frankfurt are being released. Their doctors do not believe they are still contagious. In the meantime, the evacuees in Germersheim might be released soon. The health authorities will take a decision on Sunday.

Thursday, February 13th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 16

After talks with his E.U. colleagues in Brussels, Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn says flight passengers could be questioned about contacts they had had in the past weeks. This was about a quick identification of seat neighbors in case of a Coronavirus infection, Spahn states.

Some German media start calling the Coronavirus by its new name Covid-19.

Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 16

Two more individuals in Bavaria are infected with the Coronavirus. Like most other patients in Germany, they are connected to the company which hosted a workshop with a Chinese colleague on January 21st, 2020. The lady from Shanghai did not know she was infected.

On February 9th, Chinese citizens in Berlin commemorate doctor Li Wenliang. Photo: Imanuel Marcus

Health Minister Jens Spahn says checking the body temperature of passengers at airports did not make sense, because many infected individuals did not have symptoms.

The government in Berlin intends to allocate 23 million Euro (25 million Dollars or 19 million Pounds Sterling) for the fight against the Coronavirus.

Monday, February 10th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 14

Berlin’s Health Senator Dilek Kalayci announces that none of the 20 new evacuees from Wuhan are infected with the Coronavirus. “We are relieved”, she states.

According to Kalayci, the 20 German evacuees in Berlin are well. The 16 adults and four children had been separated into groups and accommodated in twelve rooms with beds, TV and WiFi. They may leave the building and walk around in a fenced yard as long as they are in quarantine.

Sunday, February 9th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 14

Twenty German evacuees and family members arrive Berlin. They are being checked at the Red Cross Hospital in the Köpenick district, where they will have to stay in quarantine for at least two weeks.

These evacuees were on board a British plane chartered for British and other European citizens. In Berlin, the Foreign Ministry thanked the British for “an act of European solidarity”, nine days after the United Kingdom left the E.U..

At Brandenburg Gate, Chinese citizens living in Berlin commemorate Li Wenliang, the doctor and whistleblower from Wuhan who died of the Coronavirus on February 7th.

Friday, February 7th, 2020: Coronavirus cases: 14

The wife of a Bavarian employee of the company Webasto becomes the 14 confirmed Coronavirus case in Germany. She is being treated at the Schwabing Hospital in Munich. So far, 12 of the 14 cases in Germany are connected to that company, since a lady from China who did not know about her infection took part in a workshop with colleagues.

Germany intends to evacuate more of its citizens from Wuhan, along with Austrians and nationals of Luxemburg. This time the evacuees might be put into quarantine in Berlin. (Read separate article here.)

According to German scientists, the virus can survive on surfaces, including door handles, for up to nine days.

In China, more than 31,100 people are infected with the Coronavirus. The authorities say 636 patients had died.

Thursday, February 6th, 2020: Coronavirus cases: 13

Bavaria’s Health Ministry confirmed the 13th Coronavirus case in Germany. The patient is the wife of one of the patients confirmed days ago. Two of her three children carry the virus as well.

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020: Coronavirus cases: 12

Scientists at the Institute for Virology at Berlin’s Charité hospital, Munich’s Schwabing Clinic and the Institute for Microbiology at the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, reportedly come to the conclusion that the Coronavirus can be contagious even when the patient’s symptoms are minor. They also found out that the virus multiplies not only in the patient’s lungs, but also in their throats and digestive tract.

Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 12

According to German-language media, eight Germans are stuck on a cruise ship outside the Japanese city Yokohama, along with 2658 passengers and about 1000 crew members from other nations. They were quarantined because the Coronavirus might be spreading on the ship.

The Foreign Ministry in Berlin again warns Germans of trips to Wuhan and advises citizens against trips to China, except for journeys to the special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macao.

Monday, February 3rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 12

Another two people in Bavaria, namely yet another employee of the same company and a second child of one of the individuals confirmed as infected earlier, are being tested positive for the Coronavirus.

In China, the number of infected officially stands at 20,400. According to the Chinese authorities, 425 of those infected have died.

Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines announce they would not be flying to Beijing or Shanghai until February 29th, 2020. A few days before, the had cancelled those flights until February 9th. Hong Kong is still on the flight plan though.

Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 10

Two of the evacuees from Wuhan are being tested positive as well.

Most of them are being taken to Germersheim, where they need to be in quarantine for at least two weeks. They are being separated into four groups.

Germany’s Health Minister sees a “dynamic situation” and criticized conspiracy theories related to the Coronavirus that were spreading on the Internet.

Health Minister Spahn says the Internet was full of conspiracy theories about the virus.

Saturday, February 1st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 8

Yet another employee of the same company becomes a confirmed Coronavirus case.

In Spain, an additional German citizen tests positive. He is being treated there (case not counted).

124 Germans and other nationals are being evacuated from Wuhan by the German Air Force.

Friday, January 31st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 7

One of the three children of the man who tested positive a day earlier is infected. His wife and his other two children have flu-like symptoms as well, but they test negative.

An additional employee of the company most other infected individuals work for is being tested positive.

Thursday, January 30th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 5

Yet another employee of that company, from Traunstein county, is being tested positive.

Several suspected cases are reported in several federal states within Germany.

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 4

Lufthansa cancels all flights to and from China, except those to and from Hong Kong until February 9th or further notice.

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 4

Three more employees of the same Bavarian company, two men and one woman, test positive. Two of them were in contact with the first German Coronavirus patient and one with the lady from Shanghai.

Monday, January 27th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 1

From Shanghai, the Chinese woman informs the company she works for in Bavaria about her Coronavirus infection.

Her German colleague is being tested positive. He is the first confirmed case in Germany.

Sunday, January 26th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

On this Sunday, the sick man feels a lot better. The lady from Shanghai is being tested positive.

In the meantime, the Berlin Health Ministry says it feared panic more than the Coronavirus.

Friday, January 24th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

The Bavarian man who took part in that workshop feels sick. He suffers from a soar throat, high temperature and muscle pain.

On that same day, the German Health Ministry in Berlin says there was “no reason for unease or alarmism” because of the Coronavirus. Germany was prepared. At major airports, staffers are looking for any signs of sickness on incoming passengers from China.

Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

The visitor from China takes her return flight to Shanghai. On the way, she feels sick.

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

Germany’s Foreign Ministry updates its travel warnings on China twice.

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

With a German colleague, the Chinese guest takes part in a workshop.

Sunday, January 19th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

The Chinese woman flies to Germany to work with her colleagues at a company in the Bavarian town of Stockdorf. Neither does she know she is infected, nor does she have symptoms.

Thursday, January 16th, 2020 Coronavirus cases: 0

A Chinese lady in Shanghai welcomes her parents from the Wuhan region.

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