About 58.7% of the population has received at least one shot and 43% is fully vaccinated, according to official figures. Merkel, who has received both shots, called on people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from serious illness as a result of a coronavirus infection. She linked higher immunization rates with the further easing of pandemic restrictions. Merkel warned that rising case numbers would increase the risk of new, more aggressive variants developing. ———Follow all AP stories on the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/coronavirus-pandemic.

Source: ABC News July 13, 2021 11:48 UTC