Germany lowers coronavirus risk level as cases fall, Malaysia orders new lockdown

Germany’s public health agency lowered the coronavirus risk level to “high” from “very high” on Tuesday for the first time in 2021, reflecting a fall in the number of new infections, although the government stressed that the pandemic was not over.

A faster vaccination rollout, wider testing and the introduction of nationwide restrictions helped break a third wave of infections. The 7-day incidence rate monitored by Germany’s disease fighting agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), fell to 35.2 per 100,000 people, less than a quarter the rate of around six weeks ago.

“In view of the developments – both in infection numbers and the situation in intensive care units – we see the dynamics that led us to the new evaluation,” said Health Minister Jens Spahn at a news conference with the head of the RKI. Germany had been at a “very high risk” level since mid-December.

Spahn said it was his goal to avoid a re-instatement of nationwide restrictions which are steadily being lifted. But he stressed that while the move was a positive signal, he was not sounding the all clear.

“The pandemic is not over… things can change quickly and there are too many examples around the world of where things have gone wrong,” he added.

RKI head Lothar Wieler said it was essential to bring the numbers down further and to tackle infections around the world partly through vaccinations.

After a slower start than in Britain or the United States, Germany is now vaccinating its public at a rapid pace. Around 43% of the population of some 83 million has now received a first dose, with roughly 18% fully vaccinated.

Spahn said 80%-90% of the adult population would be offered a vaccine by mid-July, and he reiterated his aim that all 12-18 year olds would be offered a vaccine by the end of August.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose by 1,785 to 3,682,911, data showed on Tuesday. The reported death toll rose by 153, bringing the total to 88,595.

As Germany saw pandemic cases fall with a view of easing restrictions further Malaysia began a two-week national lockdown on Tuesday, with police checkpoints on road junctions around the capital Kuala Lumpur as authorities tackle a wave of COVID-19 infections that has hit record levels in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called it a “total lockdown”, though essential services are allowed and some factories can operate with a reduced workforce.

The latest outbreak has been more severe, partly due to highly transmissible variants. It has also strained the health service, prompting some in the capital to question whether enough has been done.

“For me, the lockdown should have been carried out during Ramadan when there were fewer cases and people didn’t move around as much,” said bank manager Muhammad Azril Maridzuan, referring to the Muslim fasting month that ended in mid-May.

“Now, people are moving around more. So it’s a little late but a lockdown is okay to reduce our infection rates,” he said.

Traffic appeared lighter in parts of the often congested capital with cars moving smoothly around the landmark 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers.

Another resident also worried about the scope of the latest curbs.

“I think even with the new restrictions, the airports are still open so there is still a potential that COVID can spread even while the people are struggling (under lockdown) right now,” said Siti, a 25-year-old food delivery rider, who declined to give her full name.

Malaysia on Monday announced an additional 40 billion ringgit ($9.7 billion) stimulus package ahead of the lockdown, as the finance minister warned on Tuesday that this year’s economic growth forecast of 6%-7.5% may have to be revised down due to the new lockdown measures.

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases has been greater than India’s on a per capita basis, though infections have come down since hitting a record on Saturday.

Malaysia reported 7,105 new infections on Tuesday, bringing its total cases to 579,462.