BERLIN (Reuters), -German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach stated Wednesday that coronavirus incidence rates are about twice or three times greater than what is officially reported.

Lauterbach explained that under-reporting is due to less tests being done at work and in doctors’ offices during holiday seasons, as well to only a small number of test results being reported to authorities.

Lauterbach was also concerned about the clear increase in Omicron variant cases, and appealed for people to observe the New Year in smaller groups.

According to Der Spiegel, Lauterbach favours shortening quarantine durations to reduce the risk of the country being halted by too many people needing to be isolated.

The Robert Koch Institute in Germany (RKI), which is a research center for infectious diseases, recommends that people with a fever be kept out of the public eye for 14 days.

Hajo Zeeb, of the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, also doubted Germany’s figures for Omicron and coronavirus.

RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland was informed that “the figures are definitely under-reported”

On Wednesday, the RKI reported 2686 additional cases of this variant. This brings the total to 13,129. The variant has caused the deaths of four people.

According to the latest figures, 205.5 coronavirus cases were recorded per 100,000 residents in seven days, the lowest rate since November.

These numbers translate into an additional 40,043 cases in the 24 hours that have passed. Authorities in France reported on Wednesday 208,000 additional cases.

The spokesperson from the German Health Ministry stated Wednesday earlier that they expect a better picture of the situation in the next year.

The spokesperson stated that “the number of infections” is an indicator but not the only.

This sinking incidence rate is despite warnings from health authorities about a fifth wave of infection.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry announced that Germany will be purchasing 1,000,000 Paxlovid packs from Pfizer (NYSE:) The pill reduces by 89% the risk of death or hospitalization for people at high-risk of serious diseases.