Infection rate raises fear of new outbreak
BERLIN/PARIS • Global alarm was sounded on Monday over a potential second wave of coronavirus cases after Germany, relatively successful in slowing the outbreak, reported that infections had accelerated again after the first tentative steps to ease a lockdown.
News that the “reproduction rate” — the number of people each person with the disease goes on to infect — had surged back to 1.1 in Germany cast a shadow over the reopening of businesses ranging from Paris hair salons to Shanghai Disneyland. A rate that stays above 1 means the virus is spreading exponentially.
Fears that a second wave of infections could thwart the reopening of the global economy helped send share prices lower across the world, and pushed depressed oil prices down still further.
Germany is being watched worldwide as the most successful large European country in halting the spread of the virus, thanks to a massive testing program.
It gradually is reopening shops and factories, with restaurants and cafés expected to open their doors soon.
After a rise in the estimated reproduction rate or “R” to 1.13 at the weekend, Monday saw new cases fall back, but the “R” value at 1.07 was still above the critical threshold of 1.00.
German officials say that “R” becomes more volatile as the overall number of infections declines, and a brief spike is not necessarily dangerous.
But Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was crucial that “people stick to the basic rules” on keeping their distance, wearing masks and showing consideration for others.
Spain and France also took major new steps to ease strict lockdowns.
In Paris, traffic flowed along the Champs Elysees as workers cleaned shopfronts to reopen for the first time since March.
“Everyone’s a little bit nervous. Wow! We don’t know where we’re headed but we’re off,” said Marc Mauny, a hair stylist who opened his salon in western France at the stroke of midnight.
Mickey Mouse welcomed thinned-out crowds in Shanghai, the first Disney theme park to reopen, with a strict limit on tickets. Parades and fireworks were cancelled, and workers and guests had to wear face masks and have their temperatures screened.
The city of Wuhan in central China, origin of the global outbreak, reported its first cluster of infections since its severe lockdown was lifted a month ago.