“The wave announced for the summer has unfortunately become a reality,” Mr. Lauterbach told the daily “Rheinische Post”.
"That means less slack over the next few weeks."
While the number of Covid-19 infections had fallen in May and Germany had abandoned most of its social distancing measures in the spring, the figures for new infections are now rising rapidly.
In the space of 24 hours, 92,344 new cases have been recorded, according to figures from the Robert-Koch health watch institute published on Wednesday.
The seven-day incidence of the virus is 472.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany.
The number of people hospitalized in intensive care is also increasing, although it remains significantly lower than at the start of the year.
“Because the current variant of the virus is very easily transmitted and almost all precautionary measures have expired, the arrival of summer has less effect this year” in reducing the circulation of Covid-19, said explained the Minister of Health.
Mr. Lauterbach recommended that elderly or sick people take a booster dose without waiting.
"This does not completely protect against infection but helps prevent severe forms of the disease," he argued.
The minister also advised wearing a mask indoors.
Germany eased its restrictions from March, allowing unvaccinated people to return to restaurants and shops and ending the requirement to work from home.
Wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in schools, offices and shops, but the rest in public transport.
© 2022 AFP