Germany says infection abroad has 'markedly increased'
The proportion of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Germany who were likely infected abroad has "markedly increased to 42%," according to the country's public health institute.
That figure hit 45% earlier this year, the highest so far, but then fell steadily to 0.3% in the following weeks as a result of travel restrictions. Since borders have reopened, initially in Europe, the proportion of Germany's cases with a probable place of infection abroad "has increased significantly in recent weeks," the Robert Koch Institute said in Tuesday's daily situation report.
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Kosovo, Croatia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Spain and Romania were most frequently reported as the country of exposure.
"Through consistent prevention and early case identification, transmission and subsequent cases can be greatly reduced," the institute said. "It remains essential that people follow the rules of physical distancing and hygiene and avoid crowds, and that anyone who develops symptoms compatible with COVID-19 be tested immediately. In addition, travelers who stayed in a COVID-19 risk area within 14 days of entry must maintain a 14-day quarantine unless they have a negative test result."
As of Wednesday, Germany had reported 236,429 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 9,280 deaths. There were 1,567 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data from the Robert Koch Institute.