Over 3000 cases in North Rhine-Westphalia, twelve dead
All schools and day care centers tight
The first cities in the Ruhr region order the complete shutdown
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The Corona virus Has NRW firmly under control: public life is increasingly standing still, schools and daycare centers are being closed and major events canceled.
More and more people are in NRW with the Coronvirus infected.
With our news blog you will be up to date Coronavirus in NRW.
Do you need support during this extraordinary time? Then write an email to [email protected] or visit our Facebook group on the subject of coronavirus in the Ruhr area:
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Everything you need to know about the corona virus:
First of all, the police ask all citizens to prioritize filing reports and to go to the guard personally only in really urgent cases. Background: The officials want to remain able to act and protect themselves against the corona virus, so they have to reduce contact with the population to the bare minimum. Most of the offices in NRW offer to submit advertisements online.
What a perfidious act: the police warn against people who pretend to be coronavirus testers. In Cologne, strangers had tried to gain access to the apartment of an 82-year-old. In cities such as Cologne and Leverkusen, virus tests are carried out on the front door and in apartments, but never without prior notification. The employees also always showed their ID.
“They were dressed like doctors and said that they had to do a corona test on me,” said the 82-year-old in Cologne. “I asked these people to keep their distance. When my visitor (62) came to the door, they ran out of the house. “
7.48 a.m .: curfew in NRW possible
Prime Minister Armin Laschet believes that a curfew is not out of the question. Currently, however, it is not that far yet, he told ZDF. “The question is: would it help in this situation now?” A curfew could be avoided if everyone stayed at home and avoided contact with people.
7:05 a.m .: Shops closed – with the exception of …
With a few exceptions, all shops in North Rhine-Westphalia are to be closed from Wednesday. This emerges from a decree issued by the state government on Tuesday evening.
Grocery stores, weekly markets, pick-up and delivery services, beverage stores, pharmacies, post offices, hairdressers, dry cleaners, laundromats, newspaper sales, construction, horticultural and pet supplies markets and wholesale do not have to close. Service providers and craftspeople could also continue to work, the Ministry of Health wrote to the municipalities.
6.16 a.m .: Restaurants closed, playgrounds closed – twelve dead
“The situation is now dramatic,” said North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Armin Laschet on Tuesday. “And therefore my appeal: stay at home.”
All playgrounds and football fields are closed from Wednesday. In schools, there are only childcare options for children whose parents are needed for the country’s critical infrastructure. Restaurants have to close at 3 p.m. “It may be attractive to sit outside in cafes and restaurants now that the weather is nice, but the situation is too serious,” said Laschet, referring to temperatures up to 19 degrees on Wednesday.
The number of confirmed infections rose to 3375 (as of 4:30 p.m.). On Tuesday morning there were around 300 fewer. The last twelve deaths have been counted across NRW.
Tuesday March 17th
19:33: Duisburg is serious: tightened rules from Wednesday
The city of Duisburg will tighten the rules to combat coronavirus disease from Wednesday. All shops should remain closed, including hairdressers and other services that involve direct customer contact. Restaurants also remain tight. Only grocery stores, kiosks, drugstores, pharmacies, banks and petrol stations can remain open.
Meetings in churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious communities are also prohibited. The city announced this on Tuesday.
5:09 p.m .: Another death in Cologne
The city of Cologne announced on Tuesday that the 85-year-old had already contracted Corona on Sunday and died. The patient was a resident of an old people’s center. The corona virus test result was only available on Tuesday. She had had to take immunosuppressive medication as a result of severe basic illness. As a result, she got pneumonia, the result of which she died.
This increases the number of coronavirus deaths to eleven, in Germany to 21.
15:32: Oberhausen reports 13 infections and 204 quarantine cases
The city of Oberhausen announced 13 confirmed coronavirus cases so far on Tuesday. A total of 204 people are in quarantine at home.
3:01 p.m .: Bochum introduces mobile test station
The city of Bochum is introducing a mobile corona virus test site from Tuesday. A swab is taken from the mouth and throat with a swab. However, the test is only possible with an appointment via 910 5555.
In addition, the city announced on Tuesday that fees for day care centers, day care, music schools and all-day open schools will not be collected in April.
2:18 p.m .: Playgrounds in NRW closed – restaurants close at 3 p.m.
In order to contain the corona pandemic, the playgrounds in North Rhine-Westphalia are now to be closed as a matter of principle, restaurants should already be closed at 3 p.m. That was decided by the state cabinet in Düsseldorf on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) announced.
In addition, NRW is providing 150 million euros in emergency aid in the fight against the virus. The money should help, among other things, to procure more ventilation places in hospitals and more protective clothing. Laschet emphasized: “It’s about life and death – it’s as simple as that. And so bad.”
1:11 p.m .: Avoid the Netherlands
The federal government has already advised against taking trips. The district of Borken now urgently advises not to go shopping in the neighboring Netherlands either.
In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, District Administrator Dr. Kai Zwicker: “Please stay at home whenever possible. Above all, do not drive to the neighboring Dutch cities and municipalities! ”There, the restaurants, including the restaurants, are already closed.
11:31: Ten dead in NRW – over 3000 infected
The number of confirmed infected broke through the 3000 mark on Tuesday. On Monday evening there were still 2700. There are also other deaths: In the city and city region of Aachen, the authorities reported the first deaths on Tuesday: two men around the age of 80, both with previous illnesses.
The number of coronavirus deaths in NRW rose to ten.
Monday, March 16
9.02pm: 2744 people in NRW infected
So far, 2744 people in NRW have tested positive for the corona virus. The WAZ reports.
5:15 pm: Unknowns steal 50,000 respirators in Cologne
Incredibly selfish audacity in Cologne! Almost 50,000 respirators have been stolen from the logistics center of the municipal clinics in Mülheim! HERE’S THE MESSAGE >>
4.30 p.m .: NRW does NOT want to close playgrounds
“Good” news for all parents: The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia does not want to close playgrounds. Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) said on Monday that you couldn’t do this to children in small rental apartments, for example. That would be a situation in a confined space that no one could answer for. It is assumed that parents also take care in playgrounds that large groups do not form.
3.35 p.m .: Bochum controls the closure of pubs and bars
The city of Bochum announces a check of the new closure regulations for pubs, bars and other facilities. Sebastian Kopietz, head of the Bochum crisis team: “We have doubled our security service at short notice.”
15:33: The number of infected people in Duisburg increased to 30
The city of Duisburg announces that the number of infected has increased to 30.
03.03 p.m .: Düsseldorf Airport reduces operations to a minimum
Düsseldorf Airport expects major losses for the current financial year compared to the strong year 2019. Air traffic at the largest NRW airport is currently in sharp decline. Traffic volumes of up to 20 percent are expected to decrease in the first quarter. Thomas Schnalke, CEO: “It is not yet clear how long the corona pandemic will continue, but we have reason to believe that we can expect the situation to improve by summer at the latest. Until then, our employees will work intensively to contain the health and economic effects of the corona virus at our airport. ”
To mitigate the short-term economic effects, Düsseldorf Airport is currently reducing its operations to what is necessary. The closure of individual gates is also currently being considered. Travelers who want to take a flight should check with the airline or travel agent about the status of their flight before arriving at the airport.
After the six cases known until Sunday evening, two other people died in the night of Monday in the Heinsberg district in connection with a coronavirus infection. A 94-year-old Heinsberger woman with previous illnesses died of pneumonia in Heinsberg Hospital, the group reported on Monday.
An 81-year-old patient from Heinsberg died in the Erkelenz hospital, also from pneumonia due to a coronavirus infection. “She was already suffering from health problems due to previous illnesses,” it said.
11:24: 2500 infected
Nearly 2500 people in North Rhine-Westphalia are infected with the corona virus. (As of Monday 10 a.m.). There are 2493 confirmed diseases with the pathogen Sars-CoV-2, according to the Ministry of Health in Düsseldorf. On Sunday morning there were 2,100 cases, around 400 fewer.
The district of Heinsberg remains the most affected by far with 663 detected infections. In Aachen and the city region of Aachen there were a total of 155 (previously 140) infections with the novel corona virus. In Cologne there were 241 (previously 129), almost doubling.
In some cases, municipalities have already given higher numbers, but these have not yet been included in the statistics.
10:58: 71 infected people in Essen
Since the night of Monday, there have been a total of 19 other people with the coronavirus in Essen. A total of 878 Essen residents were sampled, in 451 cases a domestic quarantine was ordered. The quarantine has already expired for 74 people.
In Essen there are 71 Corona cases, all people between the ages of 20 and 60 from the districts of Werden, Holsterhausen, Bergerhausen, Stadtwald or Schönebeck are doing well according to the circumstances. 891 calls were answered on the citizens’ phone.
9:34 a.m .: Central website and citizen phone
NRW has bundled all information on the coronavirus epidemic on one website. Inquiries can be directed to a nationwide citizen phone. On the website www.land.nrw/corona, all decisions of the NRW state government, the decrees can be viewed – also in Turkish and Arabic.
The citizens’ phone can be reached on 0211/9119 1001.
6.20 a.m .: Local traffic restricted in Düsseldorf and Cologne
The Düsseldorf Rheinbahn is reducing its range of services. Because of the corona virus, only the limited Sunday timetable applies from Wednesday. The front doors remain tight for most local transport companies in NRW.
From Wednesday there will also be an adapted Saturday timetable in Cologne, as the schools and daycare centers will be closed.
Sunday March 15th
8:14 pm: Aldi market in Bonn with request to customers
An Aldi branch in Bonn asks its customers to forego cash and to pay with the EC card instead. “Dear customers, if possible, we would ask you for hygienic reasons to avoid cash payments and to switch to card payments”, says a sign that is circulating on Twitter. >>> You can find out how the customers reacted here.
5.40 p.m .: NRW decides extensive shutdown
Almost all leisure, sports, entertainment and educational offers in the state are to be discontinued by the decree of the NRW Ministry of Health, as the state chancellery in Düsseldorf announced after a cabinet meeting. Accordingly, all bars, clubs, discos, arcades, theaters, cinemas and museums would have to close as early as Monday. From Tuesday, the operation of fitness studios, swimming pools, fun pools and saunas will also be prohibited.
As of Tuesday, gatherings in sports clubs and other sports and leisure facilities as well as the taking up of offers in adult education centers, music schools and other public and private educational institutions are no longer permitted. Libraries, restaurants, restaurants and hotels should be subject to strict conditions in their operations that prevent the spread of the corona virus.
Banks and retailers, especially for food, pharmacies and drug stores, remain open. According to the State Chancellery, the regulations should initially apply until April 19.
5:31 p.m .: Another death in NRW
An 81-year-old who tested positive for the corona virus a week ago passed away on Sunday. The city of Düsseldorf announced. There are a total of 54 confirmed infections with the corona virus. Dozens of throat swabs have been taken and some still have to be evaluated. According to the city, those affected have not only become infected at other locations in Germany and abroad, but there have also been further transmissions within Düsseldorf.
3:25 p.m .: Essen cancels ALL events – even pubs, bars and discos close
In a statement, Essen’s Mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU) announced further measures to contain the corona virus. “The protection and security of citizens is our top priority,” says a Facebook post.
Therefore, all events are canceled. Church services, pubs, bars, discotheques as well as swimming pools and gyms are affected. “This way we avoid overloading our health system,” explains Kufen.
The offers of the city administration are drastically reduced. Kufen leaves open the restrictions that follow: “This is how we maintain our city’s ability to function and act.”
The economic consequences for small and medium-sized companies are to be mitigated in cooperation with the district craftsmen and the IHK. The Mayor concluded: “I am sure that the Essenes are standing together in this crisis. (…) What the fire brigade, medical staff and city administration staff have done so far is very impressive. “
2:31 p.m .: Confirmed Corona cases in NRW: number increases to 2100
The number of detected coronavirus infections in North Rhine-Westphalia rose above the 2000 mark. On Sunday there were (as of 11:30 a.m.) 2,100 confirmed diseases with the pathogen Sars-CoV-2, as the Ministry of Health announced in Düsseldorf. On Saturday there were 1636 cases at the same time, 464 fewer.
The district of Heinsberg remains by far the most affected with 650 proven infections. In Aachen and the city region of Aachen there were 140 infections with the new corona virus. In Cologne, the largest city in the state, there were 129 cases. 36 cases were known in the second largest city of Düsseldorf, 19 in Dortmund and 52 in Essen.
1:43 pm: A shop in Essen reacts so funny to hamster purchases
With all the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis, a shop on Rüttenscheider Strasse in Essen has not lost its fun. In the shop window of the Rue 200 gift shop there is a note that reads: “With a purchase of € 50 or more, you will receive a free roll of toilet paper”. The top of all hamster buyers has sweetened Sunday for one or two strollers.
1:14 p.m .: Public transport reacts
The transport companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are reacting to the coronavirus crisis. In order to protect bus drivers from infections, the Dortmund public transport company, for example, has kept the front doors of regular buses closed since Saturday. Flutter strips ensure a minimum distance from the driver’s seat in the interior. A ticket purchase from the driver is no longer possible until further notice. A ticket is still required. In addition, there should be thorough ventilation at every stop.
The front entrance is also blocked on buses in Essen. The doors now open automatically to avoid points of contact. According to the Ruhrbahn, there are initially no restrictions in the timetable.
12.09 p.m .: City of Essen offers emergency care in daycare centers and schools
The city of Essen has found a solution for parents who cannot take care of their children for professional reasons. The so-called “key people” include those who work in the following institutions:
Hospitals
Medical practices
Senior institutions / outpatient care services
Driving services such as patient transportation and taxis
fire Department
police
Pharmaceutical companies
Food supply
City administration
Justice
Energy supply, for example network operators and petrol stations
Water supply
(Waste) disposal
Child daycare facilities / day care
stationary youth welfare facilities
Transportation
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“In all day care centers and day care, the employees are present in the facility or the foster home,” says the city of Essen. In this way, advice and information for parents can be ensured. Questions about emergency care for essential key persons are also clarified on site.
Emergency care should be set up in the day care centers and day care centers already visited by the children. Key persons must submit a certificate from the employer that they are essential in the workplace in the establishment of the critical infrastructure by Wednesday, March 18 (you can find the form here).
To close the schools
From March 18 to April 3 (last day of school before the Easter holidays), emergency care in schools for the children of “indispensable key persons” who work in the area of critical infrastructure should be set up – provided private care or flexible work arrangements for them Group of people is not possible.
For this reason, a corresponding childcare offer must be prepared in the schools during the entire time that lessons are lost. Children in grades 1 to 6 are particularly affected by this. The usual lesson times and the times of supervision in the open full day (OGS) should be covered. The schools in which emergency care will be set up will be announced on Tuesday at the latest.
For emergency care at school, parents must also present a certificate from the employer by March 18.
The public will be informed of further developments and regulations as soon as possible.
On our own behalf: A screenshot of a suspected DER WESTEN report is circulating online that a school closure has already been decided. It is a fake. (D. Red.) (jg, ak, mb, mg with dpa)
