German coronavirus cases exceed 10,000 in wake of Merkel appeal

Germany’s government agency for disease control revised its official figures on the spread of coronavirus on Thursday, confirming that the number of infections has topped the 10,000 mark.

The nationwide statistic went up by 2,801 to just under 11,000 infections, the Robert Koch Institute reported.

This matched with dpa’s own research, which tallied more than 10,000 cases on Wednesday across the country’s 16 federal states.

Army reservists began reporting for voluntary duty, as Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said the Bundeswehr was gearing up for a lengthy deployment to combat the crisis.

“All of us have to realize that this battle against the virus is a marathon,” she said in Berlin.

As more than 2,300 reservists reported, out of the total complement of 115,000, the head of the German military, General Eberhard Zorn, stressed that the reservists had to gain the permission of their employees. “This is not mobilization status,” Zorn said.

Kramp-Karrenbauer cautioned against exaggerated expectations, noting that the Bundeswehr and its hospitals with some 3,000 doctors made up only a small part of Germany’s health system.

The main task of the Bundeswehr thus far has been in providing and distributing medical materials.

Amid concerns that many Germans were continuing to gather in groups to socialize or take exercise, Health Minister Jens Spahn urged people to behave sensibly. “My impression is that many want to help by staying at home,” he said, noting that the message had not got through to everyone.

Read also: Updates around the world on coronavirus

“I’m relying on common sense,” Spahn said, adding that parties in the park were not how he understood solidarity.

Regarding the duration of the current measures, including closing schools and certain businesses, Spahn said it could be up to two weeks before the effects could be seen in the statistics.

The premiers of the 16 states would look into how to proceed with the restrictions after Easter, Spahn said. Easter Sunday falls this year on April 12.

The worst-affected regions were the western state of North Rhine Westphalia with 3,800 cases, followed by Bavaria with almost 1,800 and Baden-Wuerttemberg with more than 1,600. Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg are both in the south.

Dpa counted 28 deaths in the country from Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, while the Robert Koch institute was still reporting 20 in its latest figures.

Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed to the German public on Wednesday to stick to social distancing measures and stay indoors where possible in order to slow the spread of the disease.

“It is serious. You should take it seriously too,” Merkel told millions of viewers in a pre-recorded statement aired by a number of broadcasters.

Merkel’s government has held back from issuing draconian lockdown measures like those in Italy, France and Spain.

In her speech, she stressed the importance of democratic values in the face of the crisis, but appeared to warn of a stricter approach if citizens do not do their part.

“Stick to the rules that are in place for now. We will constantly reassess as a government what can still be improved, but also what may still be necessary.” (dpa)