Germany has recorded more than 10,000 coronavirus deaths in December, and is on course to see the number of fatalities double from last month. The second wave is proving to be much deadlier than the first.
Some of Germany's intensive care units are already at full capacityImage: Florian Bachmeier/imageBROKER/picture alliance
The total 10,027 deaths in December recorded Monday by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is nearly double November's death toll of 6,155.
It's an even starker rise from the 981 deaths recorded for the whole of October and 198 in September. DW's tally allows for the fact that most deaths are made public the following day.
Over the past few days, Germany has been reporting around 500 deaths a day, and over 30,000 new infections on certain days.
The country, which received widespread praise for its handling of the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year, has failed to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus during the second wave despite implementing a nationwide lockdown last week.
Germany's death toll from March to May totaled 7,869, far lower than other European nations like France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
With new records reached on both fatalities and infections, December's figures indicate that the country has not yet reached the peak of the second wave of the virus.
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Lockdown could extend into spring
Following a "light" lockdown, which allowed retailers to keep their doors open but saw gyms and restaurants close, Germany implemented a series of sweeping curbs on December 16.
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The new restrictions, which experts hope will reduce the surge in new infections, required all nonessential shops to close their doors and sent schoolchildren back to remote learning. Meanwhile, an existing limit on group gatherings is in place, with a maximum of five people from two households allowed to meet.
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The tougher lockdown is expected to stay in place until at least January 10. However, health officials have warned that the measures could extend into the spring months.
Despite a loosening of restrictions between December 24-26, Health Minister Jens Spahn has called on the public to reduce contact with other people, including over the holidays.
Some officials have suggested meeting with families over video chat for Christmas, rather than hosting in-person meetings.
Celebrating Christmas despite COVID
Things will be quieter than usual in Germany's churches this Christmas. The festive concerts have been cancelled, but the Christmas services will be taking place under coronavirus restrictions.
Image: picture alliance/D. Kalker
The Frauenkirche church in Dresden
Dresden's Frauenkirche church is regarded worldwide as a symbol of reconciliation. It was rebuilt after its destruction in World War II with donations from all over the world. Since 1993, when the altar was uncovered in the ruins, an open-air vesper has been held on December 23 — most recently with 18,000 people. This year there will only be a live stream from the church without any attendance.
Image: picture-alliance/ZB/T. Eisenhuth
Thomaskirche church in Leipzig
The Nikolaikirche church in Leipzig is synonymous with the Peaceful Revolution, the Thomaskirche church with Johann Sebastian Bach, who was cantor there for 27 years. On Christmas Eve, the people of Leipzig are drawn to Bach's church to listen to the St. Thomas Boys Choir. The choir will perform again this year, but the number of visitors is reduced and registration is required.
Image: Bachfest Leipzig/J. Schlueter
Frauenkirche church in Munich
The imposing Liebfrauendom church is the landmark of the Bavarian capital. It literally heralds Christmas for the people of Munich. On Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., the 10 bells in the two towers chime for 20 minutes. Because only 130 registered visitors will be able to attend the solemn Christmas mass, it will also be broadcast live online.
Image: picture-alliance/Chromorange/A. Gravante
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is the landmark of the Rhine metropolis, visible from afar. At 157 meters (515 ft) high, Cologne Cathedral is the third tallest church in the world. To ensure that as many people as possible can celebrate Christmas Eve in the Gothic cathedral this year despite the strict hygiene regulations, there will be four Christmas masses for which online registration is required.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Berg
Aachen Cathedral
Boasting 1,224 years of history, the Aachen Cathedral is a famous pilgrimage site. Founded by Charlemagne, for centuries it was the coronation church of German kings. The festive Christmas masses under the cathedral's huge dome are something very special. Because of coronavirus restrictions, only 120 visitors will be allowed to enjoy them at one time; twice as many masses are planned here too.
Image: DW/Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman
Hamburg's 'Michel'
St. Michael's Church, called "Michel" by the people of Hamburg, is seen as northern Germany's most beautiful baroque church. On Christmas Eve, there's always a continuous service in the Michel, candles are lit, and people sing together (archive photo). A beloved tradition that will continue this year: The services will be held alternately indoors and outdoors under coronavirus regulations.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin
The old steeple is a reminder of the destruction during World War II, the new one a feat of reconstruction. The Memorial Church is a landmark and a memorial — a place that provides unwavering comfort and confidence. On Christmas Eve, masses will be held with fewer visitors, more distancing and hygiene rules.
Image: picture-alliance/ ZB
Ulm Minster
At 161.5 meters (530 ft), Ulm Minster has the tallest steeple in the world. In good weather, the view from the observation deck reaches as far as the Alps. Christmas services will also be held in Germany's biggest Protestant church, but they will be limited to half an hour, reservations will be required for visitors, and hygiene and distance rules will apply.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Puchner
Hildesheim Cathedral
No less than 40 churches dominate the cityscape of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is 1,200 years old and a jewel of Romanesque architecture. What a festive setting for services during the Christmas holidays! Each of the 11 services will be open to 80 registered visitors, and the Christmas Eve mass will be available as a live stream online.
Image: Fotolia/panoramarx
Erfurt (St. Mary's) Cathedral
A Gothic package: St. Mary's Cathedral (left), St. Severus Church (right). For many Erfurt residents, Cathedral Hill is the place where the mystery of Christmas becomes apparent. Namely, when the holiday is celebrated on Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m. in St. Mary's Cathedral, with Christmas carols and readings from the Christmas Gospel. This year too — but with distancing and hygiene precautions.
Vaccinations are expected to begin in Germany on December 27, but it could take several months to sufficiently inoculate the population.
Some politicians have been critical of both the measures in place and the speed at which Germany intends to vaccinate people.
"When it comes to vaccines, we need more speed," Markus Söder, the premier of the southern state of Bavaria, told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "Everything must be geared toward getting more vaccines, which will then be distributed more quickly."
That must be "an absolute political priority," he said. He also warned that the lockdown could stretch beyond January 10. "The current numbers are so high that it would be wrong to enter into a debate about relaxations now," he said. "Unfortunately, the coronavirus winter will still be long."
Calls to vaccinate politicians
Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, a candidate for the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union, has called for a faster vaccine rollout. He spoke in favor of vaccinating politicians, among others, at an early stage.
"As soon as capacities permit, public representatives should also be vaccinated," he told the dpa news agency. He added that politicians and public figures should set a good example and get vaccinated to take away the public's "fear and apprehension."
"You can't convince hardcore vaccination opponents with arguments, but you might be able to convince those who are unsure of the vaccine to take it," he said.
According to a survey by the opinion research institute Kantar, 62% of German citizens currently want to be vaccinated against COVID-19, while 32% are against it. Those who hadn't formed an opinion yet made up 6% of the population.
The European Medicines Agency will publish its assessment of the vaccine from Mainz-based BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer on Monday. Vaccinations are expected to be carried out across more than 400 regional vaccination centers to start, with mobile vaccination teams for nursing homes and clinics.
