The all-important seven-day coronavirus incidence rate continues to drop in Germany. On Tuesday morning, the Robert Koch Institute announced that this key measure had dropped below the threshold of 75 for the first time in three months. 

COVID-19 incidence rate in Germany reaches three-month low

After reaching a peak of 197,6 on December 22, the seven-day coronavirus incidence rate - the number of new infections per 100.000 inhabitants within seven days - is still falling in Germany. 12 days ago, it dipped below the threshold of 100, and on Tuesday the 75-mark was passed. The government’s aim is to get the nationwide incidence rate below 50. 

In the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, health authorities in Germany reported 3.379 new cases of coronavirus to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). 481 new deaths were also recorded - bringing the nationwide seven-day incidence rate down to 72,8 per 100.000. Exactly one week ago, the RKI had reported 6.114 new infections and 861 new deaths. 

The RKI later reported that approximately 600 new cases from North Rhine-Westphalia had “not been processed in a timely manner” and would therefore appear in the statistics for the following day. Even if the missing data is taken to account, the incidence rate is still below 75. 

Next coronavirus summit scheduled for Wednesday

Angela Merkel is due to meet with the federal states on Wednesday to discuss how to proceed. While top brass CDU have maintained that it is still too soon to consider lifting restrictions, a number of politicians have begun to put pressure on the federal government, urging it to present a step-by-step plan out of lockdown.

Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business FDP party, has accused the government of “shirking responsibility” by failing to present a national framework for a coordinated route out of lockdown. “We need a step-by-step plan that creates transparency and predictability,” he said.