Germany has crossed the peak of new daily omicron infections, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said, according to AP.

He noted government measures to contain the number of infections have been effective, but cautioned against loosening public health rules too hastily.

Lauterbach, an epidemiologist by training, noted that up to 12% of people over 60 in Germany are still not vaccinated. This proportion is three to four times higher than the proportion of unvaccinated vulnerable populations in comparator countries.

Germany has been slower than many of its neighbors to ease pandemic restrictions. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and 16 state governors have agreed on a three-phase plan to lift most of the country's COVID-19 rules by March 20.

Lauterbach backed a cautious approach, saying that if we open too quickly, the number of cases will rise again.