Why Germany has low death figures

They tested early and in mass numbers to isolate problems….”German policy is to do everything to find, isolate, test and treat every case”.  

Why Germany has low death figures

Why is Germany’s coronavirus death rate so low? Berlin claims infection curve is flattening amid claims combination of young patients, more intensive care beds and determination to ‘find every case’ is behind unusual figures

  • Germany’s death rate is only 0.4 per cent, or 86 deaths out of 22,762 total cases
  • Britain’s rate is 5.3 per cent, France’s is 4.5 per cent and Italy’s is 9.0 per cent
  • German policy is to ‘do everything to find, isolate, test and treat every case’ 
  • Median age of German patients is 46, compared to 63 in Italy and 64 in Britain 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

06/04/20 19:53

Germany today saw a sharp drop in its daily death and case toll count, sparking hope that the unprecedented coronavirus lockdown is working.

Health officials recorded just 3,677 new cases – the lowest total since March 22 – and 92 deaths, the fewest single day of fatalities in a week.

But Germany, which has recorded fewer than 1,500 deaths, is not the only European country whose outbreak has appeared to have flattened.

Data collated by the World Health Organization shows Italy‘s outbreak of the deadly virus is slowing down or at least stabilising.

But Italy’s cumulative death toll by the time it appeared to reach its ‘peak’ was more than six times that of Germany, at 9,140.

Spain, Belgium, Norway and Austria all also appear to have hit their peak cases and deaths in the past fortnight.

Despite the promising improvements, the possibility of a new record daily increase cannot be ruled out because the pandemic is not over.

Elsewhere in Europe, the UK, France, Sweden and Denmark all seem to either be within their peak, or nearing it.

Currently the UK’s daily death doll is doubling around every two to three days. But cases and deaths do appear to be growing at a slower rate.

Germany's daily death toll today dropped to just 92. Its dramatic drop in daily deaths comes nine days after its peak in cases on March 28, suggesting the worst of its outbreak has passed. Spain and Italy are also reporting lower deaths by day

Germany’s daily death toll today dropped to just 92. Its dramatic drop in daily deaths comes nine days after its peak in cases on March 28, suggesting the worst of its outbreak has passed. Spain and Italy are also reporting lower deaths by day

How many cases European countries are recording per day: Some appear to be coming out the other side of their outbreak, including Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands+16

How many cases European countries are recording per day: Some appear to be coming out the other side of their outbreak, including Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands

A man wearing mask in Berlin today, as Germany recorded its lowest virus cases since March 22

A man wearing mask in Berlin today, as Germany recorded its lowest virus cases since March 22

A woman walks to the temporary covid-19 treatment centre at the Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund, on Monday

A woman walks to the temporary covid-19 treatment centre at the Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund, on Monday

Germany’s daily death toll today dropped to just 92, just 24 hours after the country reported its highest daily death toll of 184.

New infections also fell for the fourth day running to 3,677, raising hopes that the coronavirus lockdown is working.

Its dramatic drop in daily deaths comes nine days after its peak in cases on March 28, suggesting the worst of its outbreak has passed.

A woman stands at the temporary coronavirus treatment centre at the Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund, on Monday

A woman stands at the temporary coronavirus treatment centre at the Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund, on Monday

In the heart of Berlin, Potsdamer Platz was nearly empty on Saturday, as people heeded orders to stay at home. 
Credit…Emile Ducke for The New York Times