After Tyrol and the Czech Republic, the next German border region is now apparently becoming a hotspot for corona mutations.
Paris - The Corona * mutations are causing concern in Europe.
Chancellor Merkel had also extended the lockdown in Germany because of the variants.
In addition, border controls at the borders with the Czech Republic and parts of Austria are being intensified, as Interior Minister Seehofer announced on Thursday.
This is a direct reaction to the fact that in Tyrol and in three regions of the Czech Republic, corona mutations cause extremely high incidence values.
Now the next border region to Germany is evidently becoming a mutation hotspot.
Corona mutation at German borders: Moselle is also apparently increasingly becoming a hotspot
According to government estimates, the variant from Great Britain is currently responsible for 20 to 25 percent of all infections in France.
The South African and Brazilian variants, on the other hand, are only responsible for around 4 to 5 percent of infections nationwide, said Health Minister Olivier Véran on Thursday evening.
There are particularly many cases of mutations in the Moselle department on the German border, it said.
Around 300 cases were identified there within the past four days, which go back to the Brazilian and South African variants.
Véran wanted to visit the region on Friday.
Corona mutations in France are spreading despite a strict curfew
Prime Minister Jean Castex has meanwhile announced that after the end of the holidays in elementary schools, initially around 200,000 saliva tests per week will be used to monitor the spread of the epidemic there.
These saliva PCR tests are particularly suitable when tests have to be repeated regularly, the Higher Health Authority had previously stated.
In France, there has been a strict curfew from 6 p.m. for a few weeks - but there are no general exit restrictions during the day.
The retail trade and schools are largely open.
Restaurants, cultural institutions and ski lifts are closed.
In the past 24 hours, a little more than 21,000 new corona infections have been reported in France.
More than 80,000 people have died since the epidemic began.
Véran emphasized that it is now a matter of sticking together and buying time to prevent a new lockdown.
(dpa / rjs)