Germany reports rise in coronavirus cases to 67,366

Germany reported a total of 67,366 COVID-19 cases Wednesday, up by 5,453 from a day earlier, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said on Wednesday.

Up to 732 deaths from the virus were reported Wednesday, up from 583 Tuesday, said the RKI, the federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention.

However, RKI president Lothar Wieler warned at a press conference Tuesday that the "mortality rate will increase" in Germany. The next RKI press conference is scheduled for Friday.

The average number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany increased from 74 to 81, although there were "regional differences". The German state Bavaria as well as the city of Hamburg had 126 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while there were only 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Strict contact restrictions have been in force in Germany until April 20 to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.