BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s coronavirus infection rate jumped to over 28,000 cases on Thursday. The Robert Koch Institute reported that this added weight to concerns regarding restrictions for the winter.

One of the metrics that is used to calculate policy measures is the number of new infections per 100,000 population over seven days. It currently stands at 130.2. That’s 12.2 points higher than 118.0 yesterday. Since mid-October, new infections have steadily increased.

Gerald Gass (head of German Hospital Federation, DKG) stated that the number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs has increased 15% in a matter of weeks.

According to him, this trend could continue and there may be as many as 3,000 ICU patients within two weeks.

Gass stated, “Even though the hospitals can handle it,” Gass added.

Karl Lauterbach from the SPD Health Expert said to the Rheinische Post Newspaper that while lockdowns and school closures are unlikely, the outcome of spring will affect whether safety measures like mandates for masks can be lifted.

Three political parties are in negotiations to form the next government. They have stated that they don’t support the extension of a state of emergency related to pandemics, which expires on Nov. 25,

Instead, they have recommended amending Germany’s Infection Protection Act to allow states to impose protective measures.

Leaders in the state fear that a patchwork system of regulations could hinder their ability to enforce laws.