More than 40,000 people died of symptoms related to the new coronavirus in Germany, according to data from the country’s disease control center.
The Robert Koch Institute’s daily count showed an additional 465 deaths over a 24-hour period, bringing the country’s total death toll to 40,343.
The country also registered 16,946 new infections in the same period, bringing the total number of cases to 1,908,527.
Germany, which was praised for handling the first wave of the pandemic, reported the biggest 24-hour increase in deaths from Covid-19 on Friday. As a result, the death toll in the country increased by 1,188 in 24 hours.
Blocking extended as cases increase: Earlier this week, the government extended the country’s national blockade – originally scheduled until January 10 – until the end of the month, while tightening restrictions on movement and contact to contain the spread of the virus.
Germany moves forward with vaccination campaign: On Saturday, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced that half a million people across the country had been vaccinated against Covid-19.