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Merkel defends looming shutdown: Covid cases have 'skyrocketed'
Oct 30, 2020
Berlin, Oct. 29, (dpa/GNA) - Chancellor Angela Merkel defended a return to sweeping nationwide restrictions and closures in Germany next month, stressing that the nation faces "a dramatic situation" and has to act fast to shield the health service from crisis.
New infections have "skyrocketed," Merkel said in a statement to parliament just one day after she and the country's 16 state premiers agreed to tough new restrictions and business closures to curb the spread of the virus.
"Such dynamics will overburden our intensive care units in a few weeks' time," she said.
"We are in a dramatic situation at the beginning of the winter season," Merkel said. "It affects us all. Without exception."
Germany has recorded 16,774 new coronavirus infections over a 24-hour period, the Robert Koch Institute for disease control said on Thursday, marking the country's highest daily increase since the pandemic began.
This brings the total number of cases so far to 481,013. The institute gave the death toll as 10,272, an increase of 89 compared to the previous day.
Germany's federal and state governments agreed on Wednesday to a shutdown for the month of November in a bid to get the situation under control before Christmas.
Cultural and recreational facilities will shut as well as restaurants and bars, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to members of no more than two households, with a maximum of 10 people. The sweeping restrictions come into effect on Monday.
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