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Coronavirus update: COVID-19 will infect up to 70% of Germans, says Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the priority of the government is to slow the spread of the disease. (Photo: Reuters) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the priority of the government is to slow the spread of the disease. **(Photo: Reuters)**

1 min read . Updated: 11 Mar 2020, 05:18 PM IST AP

Germany had confirmed some 1,300 infections as of Wednesday, with two deaths
The government has recommended the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people, among other things.

BERLIN : German Chancellor Angela Merkel is citing expert estimates that up to 70% of the population could be infected by the new coronavirus as she insists on the necessity of measures to slow its spread.

Germany had confirmed some 1,300 infections as of Wednesday, with two deaths. The government has recommended the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people, among other things.

Merkel noted at a news conference in Berlin: "You have to understand that if the virus is there, and the population has no immunity yet to this virus, there are no vaccines and no therapy so far, a high percentage – experts say 60 to 70% -- of the population will be infected."

She said the priority is to slow the spread of the disease "so all the measures we are taking are of the greatest significance because they are giving us time – it does matter what we do, it is not in vain."