The number of confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Germany have risen by 1,639 to 160,758 on Friday, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.

The tally also showed that the death toll rose by 193 to 6,481.

Last March, all Germany’s states made wearing masks compulsory in public transport, to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Almost all 16 states also opted to make wearing masks mandatory while shopping.

Germany has tightened curbs on social interactions to try to contain the coronavirus outbreak, banning public gatherings of more than two people, since mid-March.

In a televised statement, Merkel said “Our own behavior” is the “most effective way” of slowing the rate of infection.

The measures included the closure of hair, beauty, and massage facilities. Other non-essential shops had already been shut down.

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic as the new virus has rapidly spread to more than 121,000 people from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

The novel coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan, China, has infected more than one million people and killed over 234,139 worldwide. It also hit a number of celebrities and top political figures around the world.

More cases of the virus, which causes respiratory disease COVID-19, continue to emerge, with outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, and Iran.

People across the globe partake in self-isolation for 14 days as an effective precautionary measure to protect those around them and themselves from contracting COVID-19.

Transmission of viruses between humans happens when someone comes into contact with an infected person’s secretions, such as droplets in a cough.