Germany reports over 45,000 COVID cases, 309 deaths in a day

BERLIN (AA) – Germany reported more than 45,000 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, as the fourth wave of the pandemic continues to spread throughout the country.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country's disease control agency, confirmed 45,326 new infections in the past 24 hours, up from 30,643 cases reported on Monday.

The virus claimed 309 more lives, bringing the country’s pandemic death toll to 99,433.

Hospitals in the worst-hit coronavirus hotspots in eastern and southern regions have run out of beds in intensive care units (ICUs), and started transferring new patients to other cities and states.

There were 3,845 seriously ill coronavirus patients in ICUs across the country on Monday, with 1,968 of them on ventilators, according to the DIVI association for emergency medicine.

Several federal states, including Saxony and Bavaria, introduced tougher coronavirus restrictions this week, by canceling Christmas markets and ordering bars and clubs to close in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

In most of the states the “2G rule” applies, and only those who are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 are allowed to enter indoor dining or cultural venues.