After successfully managing to avoid the virus for two and a half years, Germany’s Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has tested positive for coronavirus. According to the Health Ministry, the 59-year-old is experiencing only mild symptoms. 

German Health Minister contracts coronavirus

Lauterbach tested positive on Thursday evening, according to a statement released by the Health Ministry on Friday morning. He is said to be doing well, having only mild symptoms, and is temporarily working from home.

According to the ministry, Lauterbach has been vaccinated against coronavirus four times. “This shows that with the highly contagious Omicron variant, infection cannot be completely ruled out, even with extreme caution,” the ministry said in a statement. “The minister therefore once again appeals to everyone to behave prudently and to ensure adequate vaccination protection so that infections and severe courses can be prevented as far as possible.” 

Lauterbach’s autumn COVID plan released as infections remain high

Throughout the pandemic, Lauterbach has been one of the primary voices urging people to exercise caution and protect themselves with all of the available possibilities. On Thursday, he and Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann unveiled their proposals for an autumn coronavirus strategy that emphasises masks and testing as the best protections against the virus.

Coronavirus cases have remained high in Germany in recent weeks, but according to the Robert Koch Institute’s latest weekly report, which was published on Thursday evening, numbers have fallen by a good fifth within the last seven days. Nonetheless, the institute warned that the pressure on the healthcare system remains high, even if the “operational situation has improved slightly.”

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