Covid

Covid

"Deeply concerned": who speaks of corona pandemic

The World Health Organization now regards the corona crisis as a pandemic. One is "deeply concerned". Chancellor Merkel appeals to citizens to show solidarity in order to contain the virus.

The World Health Organization now classifies the outbreak of the corona pathogen as a pandemic. The extent of new diseases and new deaths worldwide in the past two weeks has led to this decision, said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to the WHO, a pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a new disease.

More than 4,000 dead so far

Covid-19 diseases have now been recorded in 114 countries, said the director general. According to WHO information, around 118,000 people are infected with the pathogen. More than 4,000 people died, the organization said. Many more patients fought for their lives in hospitals. It is to be expected that the numbers will continue to rise.

Covid

After summer vacation: mask requirement in more and more schools

Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia are introducing a mask requirement in schools after the summer vacation. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, lessons are already underway – wearing the mask should also be compulsory there. Support comes from the federal government.

Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia are the first federal states to introduce a mask requirement for students, teachers and school employees due to the corona pandemic. In Hamburg, however, primary school students are exempt from this. Secondary school students are allowed to take off the masks during class. In North Rhine-Westphalia the regulations are stricter.

The school authorities in Hamburg justified their plans to exempt primary school students from the rule with the fact that Covid-19 occurs very rarely in this age group and the children are not yet able to use the masks properly. "With our specifications, we give the schools clear rules for safe and good school and teaching operations," said School Senator Ties Rabe.