Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President Reiner Haseloff Tests Positive for COVID-19

Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President Reiner Haseloff has tested positive for COVID-19, the state government announced on Sunday.

Haseloff is experiencing mild symptoms and is currently in isolation at home. He will continue to carry out his duties remotely.

The news comes as the number of COVID-19 cases in Germany continues to rise. On Saturday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 17,601 new cases, the highest daily total since April.

The RKI also reported that the seven-day incidence rate has risen to 95.3 per 100,000 people, up from 85.7 the previous week.

The rise in cases has prompted some states to reintroduce restrictions. On Friday, Bavaria announced that it would require people to wear masks in all indoor public spaces.

Saxony-Anhalt has not yet announced any new restrictions, but Haseloff has urged people to get vaccinated and to follow the RKI's guidelines.

"The pandemic is not over," Haseloff said in a statement. "We must all do our part to protect ourselves and others."

Haseloff is the second German state leader to test positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks. On November 18, Hamburg's Mayor Peter Tschentscher tested positive for the virus.

Tschentscher has since recovered and returned to work.