German ministers on medical protective equipment

Germany's health minister on Thursday said that more than 100 companies have submitted promising responses to the government's call for offers to manufacture protective medical equipment such as masks in the country.

Germany wants to reduce its dependence on Asian manufacturers for such equipment because demand has surged worldwide during the coronavirus pandemic, making the market for imports increasingly hard-fought as countries struggle to get supplies to health workers.

The government plans to award contracts for companies to supply it with protective equipment from mid-August at the latest through the end of 2021.

Health Minister Jens Spahn said the deadline expired on Tuesday and "we have well over 100 offers which, at first sight, appear to be acceptable."

He didn't identify any of the companies on Thursday.

According to the Johns Hopkins University, Germany has more than 113,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 2,349 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.