Germany's virus cases could be far greater – antibody test shows

Isobel Ewing

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A new antibody test in one of Germany's early coronavirus hotspots has found that nearly eight percent of people were infected with the virus – far higher than previously believed.

The results were released by the country's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, on Friday.

Between late May and early June, researchers tested 2,203 people in the town of Kupferzell in southern Germany – that's a third of its population.

A church concert in the town had led to a coronavirus outbreak in early March.

The findings show there were almost four times as many infections in the town as previously reported.

Of the eight percent infected, just under 17 percent did not show any symptoms.

The research was presented amid growing concerns in Germany about rising case numbers, with more than 1,000 new infections being reported on several consecutive days recently.

"We cannot let this development go on like this and we must continue to restrict our contact with others, keep up social distancing and we must wear masks," said Robert Koch Institute vice-president Lars Schaade. "There is no alternative and we risk losing control."

Earlier in the week, health minister Jens Spahn urged citizens to remain vigilant as the country experienced its highest daily jump in cases since May.

That's being blamed partly on people returning from overseas holidays, as well as an increase in parties and gatherings over summer.

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