Germany’s success in first Covid wave means ‘people don’t believe virus is real’

Health official blames high infection rate on lack of social distancing

Christmas markets in German have been shut as the country goes into another coronavirus lockdown. Reuters.

Germany handled the first wave of coronavirus so well that many people doubt the disease’s severity or even its existence, making the second wave worse, health officials believe.

The head of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wielar, who is leading the country’s pandemic response, said Germany’s success in halting the infection rate in March and April had led to a “prevention paradox”.

He said many people were failing to take social distancing or quarantine seriously.

“Other countries, like Belgium or France, have managed to get numbers down, and the reason is people’s behaviour, how well they comply,” Dr Wielar said.

“I am sure that as more cases occur, as people see it among their acquaintances, and more people see how it is a serious illness that they don’t want to catch, one with long-term consequences, then I think compliance will improve.”

The health official’s remarks come a day after Germany recorded its highest daily death toll, with 487 new fatalities.

On Thursday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 22,046 to 1,106,789, RKI data showed, while the reported death toll rose by 479 to 17,602.

While the infection rate had stabilised, Dr Wielar said it was still stubbornly high.

“They are on a plateau, but they are not yet falling noticeably,” he said.

“We can see that the health authorities are increasingly exhausted. For example, they are no longer able to find out where the people affected are infected. We are seeing more and more outbreaks in old people’s homes and nursing homes.

He added: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the virus out of these institutions and to protect the people there. We see that in some regions, even hospitals are reaching their limits.”

The leader of German state of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, called for a hard lockdown if cases didn’t fall in two weeks.

Red Cross volunteers administer a Covid-19 rapid test in Hildburghausen, Germany. Getty Images

"Everyone has to wake up now," he said. "We won't get through the winter like this."

Meanwhile, Italy has banned travel between regions over Christmas to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The rules, which come into force on December 21 and remain until January 6, prevent families from travelling outside their home region except for emergencies or providing care.

On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day the rules will be tightened to prevent travel between different cities.

Italians will also be banned from attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve and services must end by 8.30pm.

Italy has been reporting more daily Covid-19 deaths than any other European nation in recent weeks.

The country saw 684 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, down from 785 on Tuesday, and 20,709 new infections, according to the latest data.

While the increase in new cases and hospital admissions is slowing, the government is worried gatherings over Christmas could lead to a resurgence.

Italian Junior Health Minister Sandra Zampa said people should not invite non-family members over for Christmas lunch.

"From December 20, people will only be able to travel outside their own region for emergencies such as to care for a single parent," she told broadcaster La7.

The government has already said ski resorts will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had called for a Europe-wide ban on skiing over Christmas to prevent “imported cases” but Alpine nations Switzerland and Austria did not agree.

Switzerland said on Thursday it would not bow to the demands of Italy, France and Germany, which have largely closed their ski resorts.

“Switzerland does not react to pressure from other countries," Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset said.

However, he acknowledged public opinion could swing against Switzerland should people see it as profiting from the prudence of other countries.

"There is no pressure on us, but there may be difficulty for Switzerland's reputation if there are sudden outbreaks all over Europe and others would say it is coming from Switzerland," he said.

"Then it does not matter if it is true or false. It is very unpleasant for us.”

Dilek Kalayci, Berlin state health minister, and Albrecht Broemme, President of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief tour a new vaccine center under construction in the Mercedes-Benz Arena concert venue in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images

The vaccine center under construction in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Getty Images

A woman wears a protective mask as she takes pictures in the city center of Berlin, Germany. Getty Images

Two employees of the Husum fairgrounds simulate a Covid-19 vaccination during a test run at the vaccination centre in Husum, northern Germany. EPA

Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

A health care worker collects a swab sample from a man during a rapid antigen test for army members and volunteers before the start of a mass test of Vienna's population, in Vienna, Austria. Reuters

People walk past shops and Christmas decorations in Stockholm, Sweden. AFP

Research is conducted in the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A team from Eindhoven University of Technology is researching aerosols in sports buildings, trying to find a way to make the buildings safe for the public during pandemics. EPA

A commuter wearing a protective face mask waits for the metro at Stockholm's central station in Sweden. AFP

An artist paints graffiti representing two vaccines fighting against a virus in Gland, Switzerland. Reuters

A medical worker holds a vial with Sputnik V vaccine during the vaccination against the coronavirus disease near Moscow, Russia. Reuters

A boy wearing face mask walks by a mural depicting a nurse in Pristina, Kosovo. EPA

People take part in a protest against the government's decision to keep the ski lifts closed in Aix-les-Thermes, France. AFP