German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Germany has not faced a challenge like the new coronavirus outbreak since World War Two and every person in the country must help protect those most vulnerable to illness.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. —Reuters/File
German Chancellor Angela Merkel. —Reuters/File

In a televised address Merkel said: "Let me tell you: This is serious [...] Germany has an excellent health system, perhaps one of the best in the world but our hospitals too, would be completely overwhelmed if too many patients would be delivered in too short a time."

Merkel also advised citizens to stay at home and practice social distancing.

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