This marks a stunning increase of 6,000 compared to the previous record. Meanwhile, 20,970 people have died from the virus.
Merkel said she believed guidelines agreed two weeks ago with the leaders of Germany’s 16 states that kept shops open but banned indoor dining were no longer enough.
“When mulled wine stands are being built, when waffle stands are being built, that’s not compatible with what we had agreed of only takeaways for food and drinks,” she said, in an emotional speech to parliament.
“I am really sorry... but if we’re paying the price of death tolls at 590 people daily then that’s, in my view, not acceptable.”
