COVID latest: Germany hits another infection high +++ Singapore makes unvaccinated pay medical bills

Germany on Wednesday reported record levels of COVID-19 cases as the country faces a virulent fourth wave of the pandemic that has taken hold since late October. The country's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, reported 52,826 new cases of coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours, the highest rate registered since the pandemic began in early 2020. That represents an increase of 13,150 cases compared with the same day a week ago. The seven-day incidence rate measuring cases per 100,000 people also reached a record high of 319.5, up from 312.4 the day before. The death toll from COVID-related causes rose in 24 hours by 294 to 98,274.

Despite the high infection rate, the death toll still remains below that at the peak of the pandemic in December 2020 owing largely to the fact that around two-thirds of the population is vaccinated. However, experts have warned from the beginning of the rollout that the number is not high enough to keep the virus under control. One of Germany's top virologists, Christian Drosten, predicted last week that the country could see 100,000 more COVID deaths over the winter if the vaccination rate did not increase and other measures were not taken to stem the spread. Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the current coronavirus situation in Germany is "dramatic." She was talking on Wednesday at an event for the Association of German Cities in Erfurt. She also called on those in Germany who have not yet been vaccinated to get the vaccine, saying "it is not too late to opt for a first vaccine shot." Experts say that infection numbers are likely to continue rising over the winter, partly owing to an increase in indoor gatherings as Christmas approaches.

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