Hanover (dpa) – An outbreak of coronavirus cases in the central German city of Goettingen has led to a rapid contact-tracing operation, as well as anger among parents and school heads because it has meant the continued closure of all schools.
The outbreak centres on a large family gathering in the city to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Goettingen, known for its old university, has said it will test a whole residential block in the northern part of the city for the coronavirus, comprising some 700 people.
Eighty have already tested positive. Some 230 are in quarantine in the city as well as 140 elsewhere.
Local authorities have traced the outbreak to the gathering on May 23 and the first new restrictions were imposed on the weekend.
They are working to trace everyone who had come into contact with those who have tested positive, irrespective of whether or not they are showing symptoms.
“It is shocking that some people think the rules don’t apply to them,” said Lars Humrich, the headmaster of one large school in Goettingen.
The latest cases have meant the infection rate in the city has soared to 21.6 per 100,000 people.
Parents associations said they supported the closure of the schools but a leader of the association told local radio that parents were “unbelievably annoyed.”
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