|
 Spahn told a news conference that Germany would have received a
total of 10 million vaccine doses by the end of next week. Some 4
million people, mostly carers and care home residents, have so far
been vaccinated.
He added that a government programme to offer everyone free, rapid
antigen coronavirus tests from March, financed from the public
purse, would also help slow the spread of the virus.
The German government has faced criticism for its relatively slow
pace of vaccinations, and business is increasingly impatient for an
easing of the lockdown, now in its fourth month, especially with
case numbers drifting downwards.
While vaccination was voluntary, Spahn urged the public to take up
the offer of a jab: "If you wait, you risk serious illness," he
said.
Authorities reported on Wednesday that the number of new cases per
100,000 people over a week was now at 57, near the 50 mark where the
epidemic no longer risks overburdening the health system, but well
above 35, the point at which the government has promised a cautious
opening.
[to top of second column] |
 Spahn said the more infectious
British variant now made up 22% of new cases,
and its share was doubling each week, while the
South African variant made up 1.5%.
Other politicians, including Economy Minister
Peter Altmaier, called on Wednesday for lockdown
in Europe's largest economy to be ended "as soon
as possible," but Spahn appealed for caution.
"Schools and kindergartens come first," he said,
warning that the impact on spread had to be
fully evaluated before considering any further
openings.
(Reporting by Thomas Escritt and Thomas Seythal,
editing by Emma Thomasson and Hugh Lawson)
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