For the first time since the beginning of July, the number of patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care units of German hospitals has again fallen below 1,000, according to data from the Association of Intensivists (DIVI), released this Saturday, August 2. 20.

According to this information, until Saturday, there are 988 patients with coronavirus infection in intensive care units, that is, 54 patients less than the day before. Of these, 363 people, or 37 percent, require mechanical ventilation. The last time the number of Covid patients in intensive care was below 1,000 was on July 2.

Coronavirus infection rate in Germany is decreasing

The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany continues to decline. The seven-day infection rate for the morning of Aug. 20 was 302.9 cases per 100,000 population, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The day before, the value of the indicator was 312.5 cases, a week ago – 342.1 cases and a month ago – 740.1 cases.

According to the RKI, 36,295 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection were reported in the last day. In total, since the beginning of the pandemic, 31,808,179 people have been infected with coronavirus infection, 30.62 million have been cured. In addition, 121 patients died from a lung disease caused by coronavirus in Germany in the last 24 hours. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 146,504 COVID-related deaths have been recorded in the country.

Data published on weekends and holidays are often lower than actual numbers due to fewer tests being performed and incomplete information coming from local health authorities, the RKI notes.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Germany

As of August 20, 184.4 million vaccinations against COVID-19 had been carried out in Germany. 76.3% of the country’s residents are fully vaccinated and 62% of the population has already received a booster dose of the vaccine.