The seven-day incidence of new corona infections in Germany has fallen again.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), it was 1385.1 nationwide on Thursday morning.
It was 1401.0 on Wednesday and 1465.4 on Thursday of last week.
The incidence quantifies the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over a period of seven days.
As the RKI announced, citing data from the health authorities, the number of new infections within 24 hours on Thursday morning was 235,626 – after 219,972 on Wednesday and 247,862 on Thursday last week.
As the RKI further announced, 261 other deaths in connection with the corona virus were also recorded on Thursday.
According to the RKI, the health authorities have recorded a total of 13,035,941 cases of infection since the beginning of the pandemic.
The total number of registered corona deaths in Germany is now 120,728.
The RKI puts the number of people who have recovered from corona disease in Germany at around 9,320,700.
In November, the federal and state governments had defined the so-called hospitalization incidence as the decisive benchmark for tightening or relaxing the corona measures.
This value indicates how many people per 100,000 inhabitants are hospitalized within seven days because of a corona infection.
According to the latest RKI report, the hospitalization incidence nationwide was 6.04 on Wednesday.
A week ago it was 6.07.
Patient advocates call for strict controls in nursing homes
The board of directors of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, Eugen Brysch, calls for corona measures to be maintained in the care sector for longer.
Vulnerable population groups must also be protected from the corona virus beyond March 19, he told the editorial network Germany.
"Therefore, effective legal authorization is still needed for government measures instead of liberal activism and the proclamation of a Freedom Day."
Brysch said: “The obligation to wear FFP2 masks, a test regime or hygiene measures for the care of the elderly and sick must not be left to private responsibility.” The federal and state governments continue to have an obligation to ensure people’s health protection who are unable to do so themselves.
"This affects two million outpatients and inpatients in need of care," said Brysch.
"But the half a million hospital patients must not be forgotten either."
"Schools need hygiene concepts"
The Education and Science Union (GEW) warned against too rapid corona opening steps in schools and daycare centers.
GEW boss Maike Finnern told the editorial network Germany: "It is right that these institutions are also involved in social development - but this must be done with a sense of proportion in order to ensure the best possible health protection for teachers, students, children and their parents “.
So far, the children and young people have borne the brunt of the corona pandemic, easing should not be carried out on their backs, said Finnern.
“Since the infections in schools are still far above average, masks must continue to be worn and hygiene concepts must be observed and a reliable test structure must be ensured for everyone.” The installation of air filter systems must also be pushed ahead.