Disease center urges Germans to cancel or avoid big events

By GEIR MOULSON
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s disease control center is calling for people to cancel or avoid large events and to reduce their contacts as the country’s coronavirus infection rate hits the latest in a string of new highs. The center said Friday that Germany’s infection rate climbed to 263.7 new cases per 100,000 residents over seven days, up from 249.1 the previous day. Another 48,640 new cases were reported after the daily total topped 50,000 for the first time on Thursday. While the infection rate isn’t yet as high as in some other European countries, its relentless rise has set off alarm bells.