German health agency concerned over COVID-19 surge

BERLIN

Germany's disease control agency on Tuesday warned of an imminent second wave of coronavirus in the country amid a drastic rise in cases.

Speaking at a televised news briefing, Robert Koch Institute head Lothar H. Wieler said: "We are in a rapidly developing pandemic. For a few days now, we have seen again the number of cases increase significantly."

He went on to say 3,611 new cases were reported nationwide over the past seven days.

"The latest developments in the number of cases make me and everyone at the Robert Koch Institute very concerned," Wieler said.

He cautioned this could be the beginning of the feared second wave in the country as many Germans have become too careless and no longer abide by the restrictions.

Holding thousands of wild parties is "neglectful" and "negligent," Wieler said, referring to the behavior of youngsters while on vacation.

In a related development, the German Foreign Ministry issued a travel alert for parts of Spain, which is a favorite holiday destination for German tourists.

The ministry urged Germans not to make unnecessary trips to the Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre from where reports of a rise in fresh cases and regional lockdowns were coming.