For the first time in more than eight months, the health authorities in Germany reported fewer than 1000 new corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day.

The RKI registered 549 new cases, according to figures from this Monday morning.

Most recently, the number of new infections per day was in three-digit numbers on September 21, at 922.

A week ago the value was 1117 infections.

The RKI gave the current seven-day incidence nationwide as 16.6 (previous day: 17.3, previous week: 24.3).

According to the information, ten new deaths were recorded across Germany within 24 hours.

A week ago there were 22 dead.

Spahn for the gradual end of the mask requirement

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) considers a gradual end of the mask requirement to be conceivable in view of the sharply decreasing number of infections - but advises in case of doubt to continue wearing mouth and nose protection.

"In the case of falling incidences, we should proceed in stages: In a first step, the mask requirement can generally be omitted outside," Spahn told the newspapers of the Funke media group.

In regions with a very low incidence and a high vaccination rate, the obligation could gradually be dropped indoors.

“As a recommendation, there is always a simple rule: if in doubt, wear a mask, especially when traveling and when meeting indoors.

There is only more security if everyone present is either vaccinated or regularly tested. "

The extensive lifting of the mask requirement in Denmark from this Monday on had also fueled the debate in Germany.

The FDP and AfD called for a complete repeal.

The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach and CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt consider this only possible outside, but not inside.

Federal Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) called on the federal states to clarify whether and where a mask requirement was still proportionate.

Especially for students who have to wear masks for hours in class, this is a burden, she said the picture on Sunday.

The RKI has counted 3,715,518 detected infections with the Sars-CoV-2 virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

The actual total number is likely to be significantly higher, since many infections are not recognized.

The RKI stated the number of those who had recovered at around 3,580,600.

The number of people who died with or with the involvement of a proven infection with Sars-CoV-2 is now given as 89,844.