"The infection numbers have sunk significantly, especially the relative day-by-day number," AFP quoted him as saying on Friday.

Spahn also said a new coronavirus contact tracing app will be ready within "weeks" for Germans to use.

Germany has been praised for its aggressive testing efforts. It has almost 138,000 positive cases, according to Johns Hopkins University tracking, and 3,868 people have died nationally with the virus, which is a relatively low number.

The country is contemplating easing some restrictions, with smaller shops expected to re-open as early as next week and some schools set to resume teaching at the start of May.