- Germany’s coronavirus reproduction rate has jumped to 2.88, up from 1.79 a day earlier
- The rate means for every infected person in Germany, they’re likely to infect almost three others
- The spike at the weekend is being linked to an outbreak at a meat processing plant, in the country’s northwest
- Meanwhile, authorities have said restrictions in Germany won’t be fully eased until it achieves a reproductive rate of 1.0
Germany has recorded a spike in COVID-19 infections, which have pushed up the reproductive rate for the virus, from 1.79 to 2.88.
This means for every person who contracts coronavirus, they’re likely to infect almost three people, or 2.88.
The Robert Koch Institute issued the data at the weekend, finding the rate was up in the four-day average, while the seven-day average produced a reproduction figure of 2.03.
The Institute has blamed the spike on isolated outbreaks, including the one at a meat processing plant in the Gütersloh district, in Germany’s northwest.
More than 1300 people working at the plant have tested positive for COVID-19, with almost 7000 people placed in quarantine in the area.
The cluster is a setback for the region, as Germany aims to bring its total reproductive rate to below 1.0. Overall, however, the country has been relatively successful in containing the virus, compared to its European neighbours.
The news out of Germany comes as the World Health Organisation announced 183,000 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Sunday, June 21.
That’s the highest number of infections recorded in a single day since the outbreak started.
Reuters reports global infections surpassed nine million on Monday, June 22, with Brazil and India both struggling to control the virus.
In Australia, 18 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded today. Two of those are in NSW, while the other 16 are in Victoria.
Victoria has re-imposed tighter lockdown restrictions as a result of the recent surge in infections.