(Bloomberg) --
Germany recorded the highest number of new coronavirus cases in five days as the government gradually lifts restrictions on daily life. Still, the infection rate dropped further below a key threshold.
There were 927 new cases in the 24 hours through Thursday morning, bringing the total to 174,098, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Fatalities rose by 123 to 7,861, the highest daily death toll since May 7.
The reproduction factor of the virus dropped to 0.81 on Wednesday from 0.94 the day before, according to the latest estimate from the Robert Koch Institute. The figure, known as R-naught, reflects the number of additional cases directly generated by one infected person.
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Health Minister Jens Spahn considers the introduction of a virus immunity card necessary, despite opposition from the Social Democrats, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland reported Wednesday. “Other countries are already planning to make entry into Germany dependent on such proof of immunity in the future,” he told the network.
Spahn's comments came after the government announced that Germany's borders with its European neighbors will reopen by June 15, as long as the spread of the disease remains under control. That target date coincides with the end of the country's global travel warning. Until at least that time, people from outside the EU will still face significant hurdles to enter the country.
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