Germany infection rate rises as lockdown eases

Coronavirus infections are rising in Germany just days after the country eased its COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's reproduction rate - the number of people each confirmed patient infects - is now above 1.

The report came as thousands of Germans gathered on Saturday calling for a total end to the lockdown.

Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a broad relaxation of national restrictions on Wednesday after talks with the leaders of Germany's 16 states.

All shops are allowed to reopen, people will gradually return to class and Germany's top football league, the Bundesliga will restart this weekend.

Germany has the seventh-highest number of confirmed cases in the world, with the latest reported infected tally standing at 169,218 cases and a reported death toll of 7,395.

[BBC News]