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Zittau (dpa) - Because of the dramatically high corona death rate in Zittau in Eastern Saxony, corpses have to be temporarily stored there outside the crematorium.

The city of Zittau announced on Tuesday evening that the dead are to be stored “in the area of ​​the flood base” and “when cleared for cremation” are taken to the crematorium.

The management of the crematorium reached an agreement with Lord Mayor Thomas Zenker at short notice.

According to the city, the number of deaths exploded in December in particular.

While 45 people died in December last year, so far this month there have been 115. In November, the number of deaths doubled from 52 last year to 110 this year.

45 people died in October last year, this year 73.

The number of cremations required is currently "sometimes exceeding the capacity of the Zittau crematorium," it said.

There are significantly higher numbers of deaths, more admissions interviews, funeral examinations and notarizations in the registry offices.

All those involved are at the «limits».

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In the crematorium, around 70 deceased have been permanently cared for for ten days, "which is why it is urgently necessary to relax the work situation for the employees of the crematorium."

"Out of consideration for the relatives and the heavily burdened employees, no further details will be published for the time being," the message said.

The city's press office could no longer be reached in the evening.

The city requested help from the district of Görlitz and the state government of Saxony in the event that the situation deteriorated further.

The crematorium managing director Daniel Brendler stated: "Despite the special situation, the situation is still manageable at the moment, but must now be organized accordingly with a view to further developments."

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Zittau is located in the extreme south-east of Saxony in the border triangle between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic and has around 25,000 inhabitants.

A week ago, a doctor from the city caused a stir with statements about a so-called triage.

The term means that medical professionals must decide who to help first due to scarce resources.

Soldiers of the Bundeswehr are now to help out in Zittau at the turn of the year.

Additional bed capacities in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities were organized.

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