Germany struggles to curb ‘very, very serious’ third COVID wave

Data shows more and more young people being hospitalised with respiratory infections and ICUs rapidly filling up.

Germany’s leading health institution has warned of a “very, very serious” situation as the country grapples with an accelerated third wave of coronavirus cases and a sluggish vaccination rollout. On Sunday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for disease control reported more than 17,800 new infections and 104 deaths. Despite figures being usually slightly lower on weekends due to less testing, cases are rising compared with a week ago when the RKI registered nearly 12,200 cases and 68 deaths.