Germany ‘could face 19,200 infections a day’, warns Merkel

Angela Merkel is reportedly worried Germany is not doing enough to contain the coronavirus and infections could spiral out of control. “If we don’t get on top of this, we could see 19,200 infections a day by Christmas”, she warned party allies privately on Monday, according to reports in German media. She expressed particular concern over rapidly rising infections in the German capital, saying: “Something has to be done about Berlin”. Mrs Merkel has yet to speak publicly of her concerns, which emerged in details of a private conference call leaked to the German press. But the leaked comments suggested she is set to press for new restrictions on daily life in Germany in coronavirus talks with regional leaders on Tuesday “We have to intervene swiftly and contain the infection process,” she reportedly said in the conference call with senior figures from her Christian Democrat party (CDU). “We have to establish priorities: keep the economy running, and keep schools and nurseries open. “Football is of only secondary concern,” she added, in reference to recent public debate over whether to readmit live crowds to Bundesliga matches.