The seven-day coronavirus incidence rate in Germany has fallen once again, according to the Robert Koch Institute’s latest figures. Only one federal state now has an incidence rate of over 100.

Nationwide coronavirus incidence rate falls to 68,0

The Robert Koch Institute recorded almost 12.300 new cases of coronavirus in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, along with another 237 deaths. A week ago, 17.419 infections were reported by health authorities across Germany within one day. 

This means that the nationwide seven-day incidence rate (the number of new infections per 100.000 inhabitants) has fallen to 68,0, down from 72,8 on Wednesday, and 103,6 a week ago. 

Only the state of Thuringia has an incidence rate above the critical value of 100, beyond which the federal government’s emergency brake automatically clicks in. Four federal states now have an incidence rate below 50, including Hamburg (35,1), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (47,1), Lower Saxony (46,6) and Schleswig-Holstein (31,4). 

Pandemic not over, German cities association warns

However, it is possible that the incidence rate paints a better picture than the reality, because of the public holiday last week. According to the RKI, fewer people visit the doctor to get tested over national holidays. For example, the laboratory association ALM noted that the number of laboratory tests it carried out fell significantly last week compared to previous weeks: from May 10 to 16, around 933.000 PCR tests were performed, 160.000 fewer than the week before. 

It is therefore conceivable that the sharp decrease in the number of tests contributed to the rapid decline in the nationwide seven-day incidence rate. 

The German Association of Cities appealed to people in Germany to be cautious over the Whitsun national holiday, despite falling incidence rates and relaxing restrictions. Things look better than they did at Easter, and more activities are once again possible, said chief executive Helmut Dedy, but the current relaxations are “easing on probation,” he warned. The pandemic is not over, and people should be careful not to put their new freedoms in jeopardy.