After Belgium, Germany on Saturday said it has discovered a new positive case resembling Omicron variant.

Germany’s social affairs minister said that a traveller from South Africa was detected with similar mutations.

“Last night several Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller returning from South Africa," tweeted Kai Klose, social affairs minister in the western German state that is home to Frankfurt airport.

He added that a full sequencing of the variant was being carried out and that the person was isolating, and he urged anyone who had travelled from South Africa in the last few weeks to limit contacts and get tested.

This comes at a time when Germany is already witnessing the fourth wave of COVID-19, as it recorded 67,125 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.&nbsp;

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Germany had declared&nbsp;South Africa a virus-variant area, meaning airlines are allowed to fly only Germans to Germany from South Africa, a source told Reuters on Friday. Even those who are vaccinated must spend 14 days in quarantine.

Germany is the second EU country after Belgium to report Omicron variant cases.

Belgium on Friday said that it has detected a confirmed case of the B.1.1.529 variant.

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"We have a case that is now confirmed of this variant," he said on Friday. "This is someone who came from abroad, who tested positive on November 22, who was not vaccinated."

Several European countries including France, Germany and Italy, have already imposed new travel restrictions with South Africa and neighbouring countries that include a 14-day quarantine period for travellers whether they are vaccinated or not.

The European Commission has recommended all EU countries follow suit with President Ursula von der Leyen writing in a statement on Friday that "all air travel to these countries should be suspended."

Apart from South Africa, Omicron has been detected in Israel, Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium.

The B.1.1.529 variant has been declared as a ‘variant of concern’ by the WHO.

It had a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk, the global health body said.

(With inputs from agencies)

After Belgium, Germany on Saturday said it has discovered a new positive case resembling Omicron variant. Germany’s social affairs minister said that a traveller from South Africa was detected with similar mutations.

After Belgium, Germany on Saturday said it has discovered a new positive case resembling Omicron variant. Germany’s social affairs minister said that a traveller from South Africa was detected with similar mutations. “Last night several Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller returning from South Africa," tweeted Kai Klose, social affairs minister in the western German state that is home to Frankfurt airport. He added that a full sequencing of the variant was being carried out and that the person was isolating, and he urged anyone who had travelled from South Africa in the last few weeks to limit contacts and get tested. This comes at a time when Germany is already witnessing the fourth wave of COVID-19, as it recorded 67,125 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. Also read | Passengers arriving from South Africa at Amsterdam airport test positive for COVID-19 Germany had declared South Africa a virus-variant area, meaning airlines are allowed to fly only Germans to Germany from South Africa, a source told Reuters on Friday. Even those who are vaccinated must spend 14 days in quarantine. Germany is the second EU country after Belgium to report Omicron variant cases. Belgium on Friday said that it has detected a confirmed case of the B.1.1.529 variant. Also read | WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' "We have a case that is now confirmed of this variant," he said on Friday. "This is someone who came from abroad, who tested positive on November 22, who was not vaccinated." Several European countries including France, Germany and Italy, have already imposed new travel restrictions with South Africa and neighbouring countries that include a 14-day quarantine period for travellers whether they are vaccinated or not. The European Commission has recommended all EU countries follow suit with President Ursula von der Leyen writing in a statement on Friday that "all air travel to these countries should be suspended." Apart from South Africa, Omicron has been detected in Israel, Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium. The B.1.1.529 variant has been declared as a ‘variant of concern’ by the WHO. It had a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk, the global health body said. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller, says German minister

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records.

Cases in Germany have been rising sharply in recent weeks, after seeing a dip in the summer, with daily new infections hitting a record above 76,000 on Friday.

German news agency&nbsp;dpa&nbsp;reported that starting Friday, a Luftwaffe A310 medevac plane will&nbsp;start transporting seriously ill COVID patients from the southern state of Bavaria to the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia

The military is setting aside two planes for such operations going forward.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-virus-variant-detected-in-europe-as-belgium-reports-first-case-432173">New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case</a>

“Transporting 80 or 100 patients&nbsp;within Germany is possible once, or perhaps twice, but not indefinitely,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

"We must stop this wave now, otherwise we'll experience exactly what we always wanted to avoid, namely an overburdening of our health care system," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;S<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-says-uks-travel-ban-order-seems-rushed-as-new-covid-variant-raises-alarm-432166">outh Africa says UK’s travel ban order 'seems rushed' as new Covid variant raises alarm</a>

Citing the sharp rise in cases, Spahn said contacts between people need to be sharply reduced to curb the spread of the virus.

“The situation is dramatically serious, more serious than it's been at any point in the pandemic,” he told reporters in Berlin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-covid-19-variant-from-uk-to-france-list-of-countries-that-have-banned-travel-to-south-africa-432196">New COVID-19 variant: From UK to France, list of countries that have banned travel to South Africa</a>

Otherwise, there could be a "complete" reduction, he said, without mentioning "lockdown".

According to reports, hospitals in southern and eastern regions of Germany are running out of intensive care beds because of the large number of seriously ill COVID-19&nbsp;patients.

(With reports from agencies)

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records.

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records. Cases in Germany have been rising sharply in recent weeks, after seeing a dip in the summer, with daily new infections hitting a record above 76,000 on Friday. German news agency dpa reported that starting Friday, a Luftwaffe A310 medevac plane will start transporting seriously ill COVID patients from the southern state of Bavaria to the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia The military is setting aside two planes for such operations going forward. Also read | New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case “Transporting 80 or 100 patients within Germany is possible once, or perhaps twice, but not indefinitely,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said. "We must stop this wave now, otherwise we'll experience exactly what we always wanted to avoid, namely an overburdening of our health care system," he added. Also read | South Africa says UK’s travel ban order 'seems rushed' as new Covid variant raises alarm Citing the sharp rise in cases, Spahn said contacts between people need to be sharply reduced to curb the spread of the virus. “The situation is dramatically serious, more serious than it's been at any point in the pandemic,” he told reporters in Berlin. Also read | New COVID-19 variant: From UK to France, list of countries that have banned travel to South Africa Otherwise, there could be a "complete" reduction, he said, without mentioning "lockdown". According to reports, hospitals in southern and eastern regions of Germany are running out of intensive care beds because of the large number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. (With reports from agencies)

Germany deploys Air Force planes to transport seriously ill Covid patients as hospitals run out of bed

The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country.

It’s the largest German Christmas market to be cancelled so far, as the events struggle to survive the country’s fourth virus surge after being mostly shuttered last year.

“It is bitter news that I have today for all Munich residents, and especially for the stall owners. However, the extreme situation in our hospitals and exponentially rising infection rates leave me no other choice,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter.

Germans have gathered at outdoor markets in the weeks before Christmas since the 14th century, when vendors first built their stands in city centres to sell their wares to people coming from church services. They offer an array of foods, artisanal gifts and other provisions for the coming celebrations and the long winter months.

Germany’s roughly 3,000 Christmas markets are an important economic boon to many communities. Local restaurants, breweries, bakeries and artisans depend on the annual holiday fairs for a substantial amount of their income.

The Munich market is famed for its stalls offering traditional gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine and hand-painted trinkets, according to Lonely Planet.

A combination of factors has propelled Germany’s latest virus surge, among them wintry temperatures, a slow rollout of booster vaccines, and an even more pronounced spike in neighbouring eastern European nations like the Czech Republic.

Experts say the unvaccinated are driving the wave of cases that are filling up hospitals across Germany.

For the Christmas markets that remain open, only those vaccinated against the coronavirus or fully recovered from a previous infection can fully participate, Reuters reported. The unvaccinated can partake in some limited activities, such as listening to carols.

The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country.

The Munich Christkindlmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest and biggest Christmas markets, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, as another coronavirus wave sweeps through the country. It’s the largest German Christmas market to be cancelled so far, as the events struggle to survive the country’s fourth virus surge after being mostly shuttered last year. “It is bitter news that I have today for all Munich residents, and especially for the stall owners. However, the extreme situation in our hospitals and exponentially rising infection rates leave me no other choice,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter. Germans have gathered at outdoor markets in the weeks before Christmas since the 14th century, when vendors first built their stands in city centres to sell their wares to people coming from church services. They offer an array of foods, artisanal gifts and other provisions for the coming celebrations and the long winter months. Germany’s roughly 3,000 Christmas markets are an important economic boon to many communities. Local restaurants, breweries, bakeries and artisans depend on the annual holiday fairs for a substantial amount of their income. The Munich market is famed for its stalls offering traditional gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine and hand-painted trinkets, according to Lonely Planet. A combination of factors has propelled Germany’s latest virus surge, among them wintry temperatures, a slow rollout of booster vaccines, and an even more pronounced spike in neighbouring eastern European nations like the Czech Republic. Experts say the unvaccinated are driving the wave of cases that are filling up hospitals across Germany. For the Christmas markets that remain open, only those vaccinated against the coronavirus or fully recovered from a previous infection can fully participate, Reuters reported. The unvaccinated can partake in some limited activities, such as listening to carols.

Munich’s famed Christmas Market cancelled again as another virus wave hammers Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted this week that stringent restrictions, which are set to run until Jan. 10, will remain in place longer.

Germany: Daily COVID cases exceed the 30K mark for first time

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.

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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

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Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller, says German minister

Germany deploys Air Force planes to transport seriously ill Covid patients as hospitals run out of bed

Munich’s famed Christmas Market cancelled again as another virus wave hammers Germany

Germany: Daily COVID cases exceed the 30K mark for first time

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