Germany in the last 24 hours has reported 6,638 infections, a spike seen for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, official data on Thursday showed.

The record rise in cases came hours after Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the leaders of nation's 16 federal states, where they agreed on imposing tougher restrictions to contain the spread of the deadly virus.&nbsp;

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As per the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, the death toll of coronavirus in Germany jumped to 33 to 9,710.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qanon-is-thriving-in-germany-the-extreme-right-is-delighted-334431">QAnon is thriving in Germany. The extreme right is delighted</a>

Earlier, German touched its highest Covid-19 cases on March 28 with 6,294 infections.

As compared to other European nations, Germany has seen relatively fewer infections and a low death rate, but there is a sharp uptick in recent weeks and Merkel has warned of up to 19,200 infections per day if the current trends remain.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, after talks with 16 states, Merkel said that there will be restrictions on public gathering at events along with a compulsory mask-wearing at crowded spaces when new cases in an area reach 35 per 100,000 people in seven days.&nbsp;

Globally, as many as 1,087,513 people have died and 38.2 million coronavirus cases have emerged since the virus was first detected in China in late 2019, according to a tally by news agency AFP.

Germany in the last 24 hours has reported 6,638 infections, a spike seen for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, official data on Thursday showed.

Germany in the last 24 hours has reported 6,638 infections, a spike seen for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, official data on Thursday showed. The record rise in cases came hours after Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the leaders of nation's 16 federal states, where they agreed on imposing tougher restrictions to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Also read | Mediterranean crisis: Germany warns Turkey against 'provocation' As per the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, the death toll of coronavirus in Germany jumped to 33 to 9,710. Also read | QAnon is thriving in Germany. The extreme right is delighted Earlier, German touched its highest Covid-19 cases on March 28 with 6,294 infections. As compared to other European nations, Germany has seen relatively fewer infections and a low death rate, but there is a sharp uptick in recent weeks and Merkel has warned of up to 19,200 infections per day if the current trends remain. Meanwhile, after talks with 16 states, Merkel said that there will be restrictions on public gathering at events along with a compulsory mask-wearing at crowded spaces when new cases in an area reach 35 per 100,000 people in seven days. Globally, as many as 1,087,513 people have died and 38.2 million coronavirus cases have emerged since the virus was first detected in China in late 2019, according to a tally by news agency AFP.

Germany sees record rise in coronavirus cases with over 6,500 infections

Thousands of children attended classes as northern Germany became the first region in Europe to reopen schools on Monday.&nbsp;

In Germany's Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, wearing masks will be mandatory for students and people belonging to different age groups will be taught separately so that if one pupil gets infected, the whole school doesn't need to close.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-vaccination-activists-march-against-coronavirus-curbs-in-germany-317561">Anti-vaccination activists march against coronavirus curbs in Germany</a>

Students are required to masks every time and need to constantly wash their hands and avoid hugging.&nbsp;

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Earlier, education ministers of Germany's 16 states had agreed that schools need to reopen full- time after the summer vacation, after they were opened partially when the lockdown was relaxed.

However, as the infections are increasing in recent times in the country, with over 500 cases per day in recent weeks, reopening schools has raised concerns.&nbsp;

Officials, though, argue that students cannot afford to miss school anymore.&nbsp;

"The children need to be present in school because we have to prevent more lost time," Steffen Kaestner, headteacher of the CJD Jugenddorf-Christophorus school in Rostock, said, reported news agency AFP.

Also, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is the least affected German state hit by the deadly virus as only 20 deaths were reported out of the national toll of 9,148. 
&nbsp;

Thousands of children attended classes as northern Germany became the first region in Europe to reopen schools on Monday. In Germany's Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, wearing masks will be mandatory for students and people belonging to different age groups will be taught separately so that if one pupil gets infected, the whole school doesn't need to close.

Thousands of children attended classes as northern Germany became the first region in Europe to reopen schools on Monday. In Germany's Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, wearing masks will be mandatory for students and people belonging to different age groups will be taught separately so that if one pupil gets infected, the whole school doesn't need to close. Also read | Anti-vaccination activists march against coronavirus curbs in Germany Students are required to masks every time and need to constantly wash their hands and avoid hugging. Also read | China criticises Germany's suspension of extradition treaty with Hong Kong Earlier, education ministers of Germany's 16 states had agreed that schools need to reopen full- time after the summer vacation, after they were opened partially when the lockdown was relaxed. However, as the infections are increasing in recent times in the country, with over 500 cases per day in recent weeks, reopening schools has raised concerns. Officials, though, argue that students cannot afford to miss school anymore. "The children need to be present in school because we have to prevent more lost time," Steffen Kaestner, headteacher of the CJD Jugenddorf-Christophorus school in Rostock, said, reported news agency AFP. Also, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is the least affected German state hit by the deadly virus as only 20 deaths were reported out of the national toll of 9,148.

Thousands of students return as schools reopen in Germany

A catholic priest in Germany who held church services in many cities was found positive for coronavirus.

Health officials of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said the priest carried out services in Demmin, Stralsund and Grimmen, among other places, reported news agency dpa.

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Regional church authorities announced on their websites that the church services in Demmin and Stralsund were being cancelled till June 21.

Officials are continuing to trace people who had come in contact with the priest during the services.

None of the people whose test results have come out so far have been infected with the deadly virus, however, several results are awaited.

As many as 12 people have been asked to isolate themselves.&nbsp;

In many countries in South Asia, religious gatherings have led to a spike in coronavirus infections.&nbsp;

A few days ago, a Canadian priest in Myanmar was denied bail after he violated government measures, which led to a cluster of 67 infections.

The Canadian priest is facing a sentence of up to three years.&nbsp;

A catholic priest in Germany who held church services in many cities was found positive for coronavirus. Health officials of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said the priest carried out services in Demmin, Stralsund and Grimmen, among other places, reported news agency dpa.

A catholic priest in Germany who held church services in many cities was found positive for coronavirus. Health officials of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said the priest carried out services in Demmin, Stralsund and Grimmen, among other places, reported news agency dpa. Also read | Myanmar: Canadian preacher denied bail after Church services led to surge in coronavirus cases Regional church authorities announced on their websites that the church services in Demmin and Stralsund were being cancelled till June 21. Officials are continuing to trace people who had come in contact with the priest during the services. None of the people whose test results have come out so far have been infected with the deadly virus, however, several results are awaited. As many as 12 people have been asked to isolate themselves. In many countries in South Asia, religious gatherings have led to a spike in coronavirus infections. A few days ago, a Canadian priest in Myanmar was denied bail after he violated government measures, which led to a cluster of 67 infections. The Canadian priest is facing a sentence of up to three years.

German priest who held church services in various cities tests positive for coronavirus

Healthcare workers around the world are ill-equipped in their battle against the coronavirus. In fact, nurses in the United States and the UK were wearing bin bags.

In India, doctors are wearing raincoats in the absence of personal protective equipment. However, doctors and nurses are protesting nude in Germany for PPEs.

The world was once cheering Germany. It was being seen as the perfect fit for breaking the coronavirus infection chain in Europe courtesy Germany's rapid testing and low mortality rate.

But now the tide has turned and now it turns out, that buried beneath the sound of the applause were cries from the frontline. The world had ignored the plight of German healthcare professionals. Doctors and nurses have been battling the pandemic unarmed and ill-equipped. For months they stitched their own masks, managed their own protective gear and now they have lost all hope.

So, they are protesting in the nude. Their nakedness is a symbol of their vulnerability and their inspiration is one French doctor - Alan Colombie.

They want protective equipment. The healthcare professionals say they do not have gloves, masks or protective suits. They are even out of basic supplies like disinfectants. One study claims that Germany needs at least 100 million single-use masks for its doctors.

The country has banned the export of&nbsp;personal protection gear. It was back in March but the ban was clearly not enough. The government of Chancellor Angela Merkel is now ramping up its orders for PPEs.

On Monday, a German military plane brought 10 million medical masks from China which means, the country is still short of &nbsp;90 million masks and the 10 million it has are Chinese masks which means they are good for nothing!

As doctors resort to nude protests, the total number of cases in Germany has crossed the 160,000-mark and over 6,300 people have died so far and there are nearly 140 new infections.

Germany cannot win this battle without its warriors.

Healthcare workers around the world are ill-equipped in their battle against the coronavirus. In fact, nurses in the United States and the UK were wearing bin bags.

Healthcare workers around the world are ill-equipped in their battle against the coronavirus. In fact, nurses in the United States and the UK were wearing bin bags. In India, doctors are wearing raincoats in the absence of personal protective equipment. However, doctors and nurses are protesting nude in Germany for PPEs. The world was once cheering Germany. It was being seen as the perfect fit for breaking the coronavirus infection chain in Europe courtesy Germany's rapid testing and low mortality rate. But now the tide has turned and now it turns out, that buried beneath the sound of the applause were cries from the frontline. The world had ignored the plight of German healthcare professionals. Doctors and nurses have been battling the pandemic unarmed and ill-equipped. For months they stitched their own masks, managed their own protective gear and now they have lost all hope. So, they are protesting in the nude. Their nakedness is a symbol of their vulnerability and their inspiration is one French doctor - Alan Colombie. They want protective equipment. The healthcare professionals say they do not have gloves, masks or protective suits. They are even out of basic supplies like disinfectants. One study claims that Germany needs at least 100 million single-use masks for its doctors. The country has banned the export of personal protection gear. It was back in March but the ban was clearly not enough. The government of Chancellor Angela Merkel is now ramping up its orders for PPEs. On Monday, a German military plane brought 10 million medical masks from China which means, the country is still short of 90 million masks and the 10 million it has are Chinese masks which means they are good for nothing! As doctors resort to nude protests, the total number of cases in Germany has crossed the 160,000-mark and over 6,300 people have died so far and there are nearly 140 new infections. Germany cannot win this battle without its warriors.

German healthcare workers protest nude over lack of protective gear in COVID-19 fight

Measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak will slash the German 2020 economic output by 2.8 to 5.4 per cent before a rebound next year, a panel of economists who advise the government said Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-since-world-war-ii-has-germany-faced-such-a-challenge-chancellor-merkel-on-coronavirus-pandemic-287272">Not since World War-II has Germany faced such a challenge: Chancellor Merkel on coronavirus pandemic</a>

"The German economy will shrink significantly in 2020," the so-called "Wise Men" expert panel (SVR) said, with the exact size of the impact "depending on the extent and duration of health policy measures and the subsequent recovery".

Like other economists around the world, the group sketched different scenarios for the virus' impact on Europe's top economy depending on whether it follows a "V" shape, with a sharp drop matched by a swift recovery, or a more prolonged "U" in which the rebound takes longer to materialise.

Germany's 83 million people are currently under slightly less strict lockdown conditions than in other European nations like France and Italy, with non-essential excursions outside mostly still allowed.

But companies from airline giant Lufthansa to car behemoth Volkswagen have already slashed their operations in response.

'V' or 'U'?&nbsp;

In their central outlook with activity "normalising over the summer", the SVR forecast a 2.8 per cent drop in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, followed by a 3.7 per cent expansion next year.

But a deeper "V" due to widespread halts in production or a longer period of isolation to slow the virus' spread could bring a 5.4 per cent slump, followed by growth of 4.9 per cent in 2021.

In the still-more-damaging "U" scenario, with contact restrictions lasting "beyond the summer" and economic recovery setting in only next year, GDP might fall 4.5 per cent in 2020, but add just 1.0 percent next year, the experts suggested.

SVR member Achim Trueger urged Berlin to coordinate with governments elsewhere in Europe and further afield on both health and economic measures to lay the groundwork for the recovery in Germany's highly-interconnected economy.

"It's not much good if one country, hopefully Germany, comes through the crisis relatively well, but around us the crisis is not yet over, then we won't be able to ramp up production," Trueger said.

The SVR members hailed as &nbsp;"welcome" a 1.1-trillion-euro package of economic support from Berlin including easier access to benefits for workers on shorter hours, guarantees for loans to business and direct support for firms hardest hit by the crisis -- up to and including the state taking stakes in stricken companies.

In the weeks ahead, "optimum use should be made of the time during which the public health measures are in place in order to support the recovery and long-term economic development," the experts added.

That could range from training and further education for workers to making faster progress on construction projects in areas affected by shutdowns, like schools and public transport.

"Further, the restrictions make fast progress on digitalisation imperative for businesses and public administration," the economists said -- with integrating IT into daily work, an area where Germany is widely seen as lagging behind.

 
&nbsp;

Measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak will slash the German 2020 economic output by 2.8 to 5.4 per cent before a rebound next year, a panel of economists who advise the government said Monday.

Measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak will slash the German 2020 economic output by 2.8 to 5.4 per cent before a rebound next year, a panel of economists who advise the government said Monday. Also read | Not since World War-II has Germany faced such a challenge: Chancellor Merkel on coronavirus pandemic "The German economy will shrink significantly in 2020," the so-called "Wise Men" expert panel (SVR) said, with the exact size of the impact "depending on the extent and duration of health policy measures and the subsequent recovery". Like other economists around the world, the group sketched different scenarios for the virus' impact on Europe's top economy depending on whether it follows a "V" shape, with a sharp drop matched by a swift recovery, or a more prolonged "U" in which the rebound takes longer to materialise. Germany's 83 million people are currently under slightly less strict lockdown conditions than in other European nations like France and Italy, with non-essential excursions outside mostly still allowed. But companies from airline giant Lufthansa to car behemoth Volkswagen have already slashed their operations in response. 'V' or 'U'? In their central outlook with activity "normalising over the summer", the SVR forecast a 2.8 per cent drop in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, followed by a 3.7 per cent expansion next year. But a deeper "V" due to widespread halts in production or a longer period of isolation to slow the virus' spread could bring a 5.4 per cent slump, followed by growth of 4.9 per cent in 2021. In the still-more-damaging "U" scenario, with contact restrictions lasting "beyond the summer" and economic recovery setting in only next year, GDP might fall 4.5 per cent in 2020, but add just 1.0 percent next year, the experts suggested. SVR member Achim Trueger urged Berlin to coordinate with governments elsewhere in Europe and further afield on both health and economic measures to lay the groundwork for the recovery in Germany's highly-interconnected economy. "It's not much good if one country, hopefully Germany, comes through the crisis relatively well, but around us the crisis is not yet over, then we won't be able to ramp up production," Trueger said. The SVR members hailed as "welcome" a 1.1-trillion-euro package of economic support from Berlin including easier access to benefits for workers on shorter hours, guarantees for loans to business and direct support for firms hardest hit by the crisis -- up to and including the state taking stakes in stricken companies. In the weeks ahead, "optimum use should be made of the time during which the public health measures are in place in order to support the recovery and long-term economic development," the experts added. That could range from training and further education for workers to making faster progress on construction projects in areas affected by shutdowns, like schools and public transport. "Further, the restrictions make fast progress on digitalisation imperative for businesses and public administration," the economists said -- with integrating IT into daily work, an area where Germany is widely seen as lagging behind.

German economy set for 'significant' recession: Economists