RKI reports summer infection wave
Unusual Development in Germany: The Robert-Koch-Institut Reports an Unexpectedly High Number of Respiratory Infections - More than Seasonally Common. Labor Data Shows: One in Eight Samples Contains Corona.
Coughing, sneezing, hoarseness? The number of respiratory infections in Germany has continued to rise in early July. According to the latest report from the Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI), there were around 6,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in early July. That's roughly 6% of the population. More people are currently suffering from an "acute respiratory infection" (ARI) than in previous years.
"The incidence of acute respiratory infections is again increasing on a population level," the RKI summarizes the observed situation soberly. "The ARI activity is overall at a relatively high level for this season." Typically, respiratory infections with typical symptoms of seasonal respiratory infections peak especially during the colder months.
The extent of the summer cold wave is indeed unusual: In the previous year, the so-called ARI rate in Germany fell below three percent during the summer months at times. In no single summer of the past five years - including the pandemic period - have there been as many respiratory infections in the warm season as there are in the current year.
One in Eight Infections: Corona
Epidemiologists at the RKI are not only keeping a close eye on early warning systems in their search for causes. However, the data situation is now poor due to the end of the Corona test requirement: Coronavirus infections are hardly being recorded anymore. Nevertheless, a differentiated picture emerges from the available reports: A large proportion of summer infections are currently caused by mostly harmless cold viruses. "The situation is still primarily determined by rhinoviruses and other respiratory viruses," confirms the RKI.
However, a growing proportion of the samples analyzed in the lab are testing positive for Corona. The Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is in second place among the currently circulating pathogens, with a share of 12.1%. This means that approximately one in eight infections is currently a Corona case.
Currently, the Coronavirus variant KP3, a descendant of the JN.1 sublineage, is circulating in Germany, according to the RKI. In contrast, influenza viruses play a minor role in the infection dynamics. They hardly appear in the lab data anymore after the seasonal flu wave in the spring.
Doctors are also closely monitoring developments in hospitals. So far, there are no signs of a changed Corona situation. "The number of severe respiratory infections remains overall at a low level," the RKI writes in the latest report. Covid-19 is currently "predominantly diagnosed in older patients and patient groups." Outside of hospitals, the mass of Corona infections remains undetected.
The Coronavirus can continue to be active in the population in Germany, as the data at least provides indications of an increase in Corona infection risks at a low level. The latest data from the virological monitoring of sewage also raises concerns. In early July, the RKI received samples from no fewer than 143 German wastewater treatment plants.
In total, the RKI advises caution unchanged, particularly with regard to the risks for older and vulnerable citizens. The available data from various monitoring systems show that the current increase in infections - although unusual for the season - is currently still far below the scales of previous Corona wave.
Virologists are keeping a close eye on the situation - among other things, with regard to the possible emergence of new Coronavirus variants and the anticipated risks of human transmission of the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus. The RKI published updated recommendations for "avian influenza" and for monitoring Influenza patients in hospitals during the summer months at the end of the previous week.
The Robert Koch Institute emphasizes that one in eight current respiratory infections in Germany is caused by Coronaviruses, specifically SARS-CoV-2. Despite the end of Corona test requirements, these infections are still being detected in laboratory analysis. The Institute continues to urge caution, particularly for older and vulnerable individuals, as they remain at higher risk. Additionally, researchers are monitoring the situation closely to identify any potential emergence of new Coronavirus variants or the anticipated risks of human transmission of Avian Influenza H5N1 virus. Education about these threats is crucial, especially during the summer months, as demonstrated by the RKI's recent publication of updated recommendations.
