German COVID cases surge raising prospect of tougher restrictions

BERLIN — A key measure of coronavirus infections in Germany rose sharply over the past week, figures showed on Friday, raising the prospect of tougher restrictions as winter approaches.

The seven-day incidence rate of cases - which has been used to decide COVID-19 curbs - jumped more than 26 points in a week, the Robert Koch Institute responsible for disease control said.

The rise comes as the leaders of Germany’s 16 states jointly called on the federal government to give them a legal basis to work on measures against the pandemic, as a nationwide state of emergency is set to lapse on Nov. 25. Reuters