Germany's infection curve could be flattening off, public health chief says

There are signs that the exponential upwards curves in new coronavirus infections in Germany is flattening off for the first time thanks to social distancing measures in force, the head of the country's public health institute said on Monday.

"We are seeing signs that the exponential growth curve is flattening off slightly," said Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute. "But I will only be able to confirm this trend definitively on Wednesday."

He said he was optimistic that measures are taken so far in Germany, including school closures, instructions on hand-washing and strict warnings against public gatherings, which were already having an effect.