The number of corona infections has increased significantly. In the week from October 6th to 12th, around 6,440 laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported Robert Koch Institute (RKI), as stated in a current RKI report on acute respiratory infections. In the previous week there were around 3,850 reported cases.
According to the report, the estimated Covid-19 incidence is around 600 corona diseases per 100,000 inhabitants – in the previous week it was around 400. Due to the autumn holidays, the numbers from the current report may fluctuate more and may subsequently change, as the RKI informs.
Corona numbers lower than in the same period last year
With a share of 71 percent, the XFG line, also called Stratus, is currently the most widespread in Germany, according to an evaluation from the end of September. Stratus is a line of the Omicron variant. Their viruses multiply primarily in the upper respiratory tract and can therefore spread more quickly. Experts do not believe that XFG poses any increased risk to public health.
Despite the increase, coronavirus activity is still lower than this time last year. In mid-October 2024 there were around 11,570 cases – almost twice as many now. This is still no comparison to the situation during the pandemic. In mid-October 2020, for example, more than 7,000 new infections were reported within one day alone. At the end of October of the same year there were even over 19,000 on one day.
6.5 million acute respiratory diseases
With regard to all acute respiratory diseases, the RKI speaks of activity at a moderate level in the current report. Compared to the previous week, it fell overall. Based on voluntary reports from the population, the RKI assumes around 7,800 illnesses per 100,000 inhabitants (previous week: 9,000 per 100,000). This corresponds to a total of around 6.5 million acute respiratory diseases, regardless of a visit to the doctor. For comparison: in mid-October 2024 there were around 7.4 million.
The main ones currently on the move are rhinoviruses, which can cause a cold, as well as corona and parainfluenza viruses, which particularly infect small children. The number of serious cases is at a comparatively low level.
Flu waves often don’t start until January
Flu does not play a major role at the moment: around 400 laboratory-confirmed cases were transmitted to the RKI for the week of October 6th.
In recent years, the annual flu wave has usually started in January and lasted three to four months. The period of increased activity of influenza A and B viruses is called an influenza wave.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251016-930-167779/1
