The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases predicted that the number of daily reported cases could exceed 30,000 in the 14th week of the year starting April 12.
"An extrapolation of the trends shows that case numbers can be expected above the Christmas level from week 14 onwards," the RKI said in its current situation report.
Today, the number of COVID-19 cases rose by 12,674 and the death toll was up 239, with the number of cases per 100,000 over seven days jumping to 76.1 from 72.4.
Germany's death toll from the virus stands at 73,301, with a reported 2,558,455 infections.
Frustration about the ongoing lockdown and the slow pace of vaccinations has been denting support for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, also under fire over a face mask procurement scandal involving lawmakers from the party.
A small group of protesters braved rain in Berlin today to demonstrate against the lockdown.
Merkel's Christian Democrats have seen support slip in two states where regional elections tomorrow will be a crucial gauge of popular feeling before a federal election in September.
Merkel and state leaders agreed a phased easing of curbs earlier this month along with an "emergency brake" to let authorities reimpose restrictions if case numbers rise above 100 per 100,000 on three consecutive days.
The RKI report said the rapid spread in Germany of a more infectious virus variant first detected in Britain could mean that the number of cases per 100,000 reaches levels of between 200 and 500 by mid-April.
Leaders are due to meet again on March 22 to discuss whether any further relaxation of the rules is possible.
"We can only have more relaxation if there are stable or falling case numbers," Karl Lauterbach, health expert for the Social Democrats, told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper, adding this was unlikely anytime soon.
No comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Lessons are rarely learnt. Opening-up for Easter here will end in tears.
Meanwhile back in Mallorca the tourism lobby and airline lobby are preparing to let all Germans come in masses as of today . Makes zero sense and is a pure gamble on economic interests before health interests ! .
If the Covid situation in Germany is as precarious as stated (and there is no reason to believe otherwise), then irrespective of the low number of cases here in Mallorca, the government should be saying thank you offering to bring tourists but you cannot arrive until such time as your own situation is acceptable to us!....however, as usual the government here, in its submissive (pathetic) nature, will accept any/all arrivals, and if and when cases increase will blame local residents for not being compliant....and sadly this will probably go on for many weeks and months yet....and although things will certainly improve we will get to a stage whereby any category of tourist will be accepted and the downward spiral of the tourism economy will continue!!!
After reading this,it beggars belief as to why we are allowing German tourists here from next week!?