Germany has taken in some 200 critically ill patients from other EU countries | Flip Singer/EPA-EFE Berlin to cover coronavirus treatment costs for EU patients in Germany The costs are expected to amount to €20 million, according to the government.

BERLIN — Germany will cover the treatment costs of coronavirus patients transferred to the country from other EU member states, the government has announced.

Germany has taken in some 200 critically ill patients from other EU countries, notably from regions in Italy, France and the Netherlands where hospitals have hit capacity, and has offered to transfer more.

The government's crisis cabinet on Sunday decided to cover the treatment costs for these patients, which are expected to amount to some €20 million, according to a government handout.

"Europe stands together even in times of crisis," German Health Minister Jens Spahn said this morning in a statement officially announcing the decision.

"The willingness and capacity to admit more [patients] if necessary is there," he added. "The treatment costs of these patients are covered by Germany, this is our understanding of European solidarity."

According to the government handout, Germany is currently planning to cover costs for EU patients until the end of September.

Germany has some of the highest numbers of intensive care beds in Europe. As of Monday morning, the country registered 141,672 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,404 deaths, according to the Robert Koch Institute for disease control.