COVID-19 cases in Germany rise to 42,280

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Germany increased by 5,780 within one day to 42,288, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Friday.

The death toll from the novel coronavirus increased from 198 to 253, according to RKI, the federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here on Thursday that the time had not yet come to talk about easing the measures taken in Germany to contain the COVID-19. "We still have a very high rate of new infections."

A limited curfew has been imposed for entire Germany from Sunday for at least two weeks. However, Merkel said on Thursday that the measures had not been in effect long enough yet to see whether they have produced the desired effects.

The incubation period of COVID-19 was between 5 and 14 days, Merkel reminded. "That is why I have to ask people in Germany to be patient". The aim to protect the German health system from overburdening, however, remained the same.