Germany Surpasses 110,000 Daily COVID-19 Cases... Highest Ever Recorded

Visitors are lining up to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at a vaccination center set up inside a shopping mall in downtown Berlin, Germany. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Germany's daily new COVID-19 cases have surpassed 110,000, setting a record high.

According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the 19th (local time), Germany recorded 112,323 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, marking the highest number ever. During this period, there were 239 deaths.

Accordingly, the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over the past week increased to 584.4. The proportion of Omicron variant cases among new infections rose to 73.3% as of the 14th, making it the dominant strain.

Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Health Minister, appeared on RTL broadcast that day and said, "The Omicron wave will peak around mid-February," adding, "Although the number of new cases may decrease afterward, we have not yet reached the peak."

He continued, "The number of undetected infections is estimated to be about twice as high," and predicted, "The number of new cases will continue to increase."

He forecasted that if vaccination becomes mandatory around April to May and the third dose is administered, the spread could be halted by autumn. His party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), plans to propose a framework for mandatory vaccination legislation by the end of this month and work jointly with other parliamentary parties to pass the bill by March.

Denmark also reported over 30,000 daily new COVID-19 cases for the first time on the 18th (local time). According to Danish health authorities, 33,493 new cases were reported that day. Considering that the number was around 5,000 at the end of November last year, this represents a sharp increase.

With a population of about 5.8 million, Denmark's cumulative COVID-19 cases have approached 1.2 million. The total number of deaths stands at 3,519.