The increase comes just as schools are scheduled to reopen. The rise has been driven by new, more-infectious variants of the coronavirus.
New coronavirus infections rose again on Sunday, prompting fears ahead of a planned easing of restrictions.
The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases reported 7,676 new cases on Sunday, up 1,562 from one week ago. The key seven-day incidence rate increased to 60.2 across the country, up from 57.7 a day earlier.
German authorities have repeatedly pointed to a maximum incidence rate of 50 as a target for opening up. However, schools in 10 of Germany’s 16 federal states are scheduled to reopen on Monday. (DW)