German Q1 economy contracts 2.2 pct amid COVID-19 pandemic

German economy contracted 2.2 percent in the first three months of 2020, according to the German Federal Statistics Office, as shops and factories were shut in the middle March to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The number also marks the steepest quarterly slump since the 2009 financial crisis in Germany as the economy ministry warned economic downturn is expected to accelerate in the current quarter.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has reached 173,152, Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases date showed on Friday, while the reported death toll now stands at 7,824.

(With input from agencies)