Fears are growing in Germany of a third wave of infections as COVID-19 case numbers rise ahead of a planned easing of some measures to prevent coronavirus spreading.
The Robert Koch Institute for disease control reported 7676 new cases on Sunday for the previous day.
That figure is 1562 cases higher than one week ago.
The seven-day incidence rate, measuring the number of cases per 100,000 people over that period, has increased to 60.2 countrywide, up from 57.7 a day earlier.
The data is particularly concerning as 10 of Germany’s 16 states are planning to reopen schools on Monday.
Politicians are increasingly considering making teachers a higher priority for vaccines against COVID-19 given the rising case numbers and a decision may be made early this week.
Experts attribute the increase to new and more transmissible forms of the coronavirus.