20.54°C Vancouver

Mar 9, 2020 8:24 PM -

Experts: Rapid testing helps explain few German virus deaths

Share On
experts-rapid-testing-helps-explain-few-german-virus-deaths
Firefighters disinfect a sidewalk to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Iran has one of the highest death tolls in the world from the new coronavirus outside of China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The federal government is now warning against all travel to Iran over concerns about the novel coronavirus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Vahid Salemi

Experts say Germany's low death rate from the new coronavirus is partly due to early testing that gave more time to contain the outbreak.

The country has confirmed more than 1,100 cases but, so far, just two deaths.

Other countries with a similar number of confirmed infections have dozens of deaths.

Christian Drosten, the director of the Institute for Virology at Berlin's Charite hospital, said Germany's dense network of independent labs received both the technical information needed to conduct tests and the approval to bill for them in January.

Case numbers in Germany were still in the single digits at the time.

Latest news

vancouver-police-equip-all-patrol-officers-with-new-alcohol-and-drug-screening-devices
BCJul 23, 2026

Vancouver Police equip all patrol officers with new alcohol and drug screening devices

Vancouver Police say the department has received 230 new Approved Screening Devices (ASDs) for its traffic section as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement against impaired driving involving alcohol and drugs. According to the Vancouver Police Department, the delivery makes it the first police agency in British Columbia to receive the devices on this scale. The department said every patrol officer on duty will now have access to an ASD during traffic enforcement. Police also introduced a new tracking software system that will record where the screening devices are being used. The departmen
BCJul 23, 2026

B.C. exports expected to face biggest impact from new 50% U.S. tariffs

British Columbia's economy is expected to be hit harder than any other Canadian province after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new 50 per cent tariffs on hundreds of imported products. According to the report, about 13 to 14 per cent of the goods B.C. is expected to export to the United States in 2025 will be subject to the new tariffs, the highest share among all provinces. The measures are expected to have the greatest impact on B.C.'s electrical machinery and equipment sector, as well as wood and wood product exports. The tariffs will apply to more than 500 product categories, includi
AlbertaJul 23, 2026

33-year-old man charged after alleged armed carjacking during Red Deer test drive

A 33-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges after an alleged armed carjacking during a vehicle test drive at a Red Deer dealership, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred at about 11:26 a.m. Tuesday. RCMP allege the suspect produced a firearm as the test drive concluded and forced a dealership employee out of the vehicle before driving away. According to RCMP, multiple police units responded immediately and arrested the suspect a short time later. Investigators said the stolen vehicle was being driven at speeds of up to 165 km/h before it was safely recovered. The a
u-s-trade-representative-expects-interim-cusma-options-by-year-end
CanadaJul 22, 2026

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

The Trump administration expects to present interim options for the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) before the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate committee in Washington. According to Greer, the proposals would take the form of interim arrangements with Canada and Mexico after the United States decided earlier this month not to continue CUSMA in its current form. As a result, the agreement will now be subject to an annual review process. Greer's comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald
16-arrested-as-kamloops-rcmp-seize-weapons-loaded-shotgun-and-more-than-one-kilogram-of-drugs
BCJul 22, 2026

16 Arrested as Kamloops RCMP Seize Weapons, Loaded Shotgun and More Than One Kilogram of Drugs

Kamloops RCMP's Proactive Enforcement Team arrested 16 people and seized a large quantity of weapons, drugs and other illegal items during a two-day targeted enforcement operation conducted on July 3 and 4. According to an RCMP news release, officers focused on identified crime hotspots and individuals already known to police through intelligence-led enforcement efforts. During the operation, police seized 16 prohibited or dangerous weapons, including bear spray, brass knuckles, batons, knives and an axe. Officers also recovered a replica firearm and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Superintendent P

Related News