German health minister sees possible tripling of coronavirus infections by mid-Feb

A sign displaying the dates that a pop-up vaccination centre is open is seen, as a person walks outside the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination centre in the Humboldt Forum, in Berlin, Germany January 19, 2022. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany reported a record 140,160 new coronavirus cases on Friday as the country's health minister warned the country could see at least 400,000 per day by mid-February.

That figure would be reached under an optimistic scenario in which booster shots provide very good protection, Karl Lauterbach said in a discussion with state government leaders, sources involved in the talks told Reuters late on Thursday.