COVID-19 wave in Europe - Unusually many coughs and colds this summer
Millions of households are currently coughing and sneezing - even in the summer. Calculations by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show that the number of acute respiratory infections in Germany in recent weeks has been higher than ever before at this time of year, since the start of the GrippeWeb portal in 2011. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently reporting a Covid-19 summer wave in Europe.
Citizens can directly report on GrippeWeb whether they had a respiratory infection in the previous week. The specific pathogen causing the cold or flu does not need to be recorded. According to the RKI, the total number of acute respiratory infections estimated for the week of July 29 to August 4 was approximately 3.3 million in Germany.
No significant decrease as usual in the summer
While the number of estimated new infections has decreased slightly from the previous week, overall, GrippeWeb has shown only a relatively small decrease in respiratory infections since winter. In previous years, there were usually many fewer people with coughs, colds, sore throats, and fever in the warmer months.
The RKI has few data on which viruses are causing the symptoms. Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses were found most frequently in the samples. Influenza and RS viruses are currently not playing a significant role.
"Summer wave of Covid-19"
The WHO, however, has data from all of Europe, leading them to speak of a "summer wave of Covid-19". In the past two months, more and more people have been going to clinics or pharmacies with Corona: The percentage of patients with respiratory infections who have Corona has increased fivefold in that time.
"Although the absolute number of cases is lower than during the winter wave", the WHO writes, people are still being admitted to hospitals due to Corona. In Germany, the number of severe acute respiratory infections is at a low level.
Further Covid-19 waves expected
But why are so many people getting sick with Corona? This could be due to large events like major sports tournaments and music festivals, according to the WHO. There is also less competition from other illnesses like the flu right now. Since Covid-19 circulates year-round, further waves can be expected in the future.
"The booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine remains an extremely effective means of reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths among at-risk patients", the WHO reminds us. This includes older and immunocompromised people, those with multiple underlying conditions, pregnant women, and healthcare workers.
According to the RKI, the summer holidays can have an impact on both infections and surveillance systems.
RKI: ARE weekly report WHO statement Grippeweb
The European Union, as a part of Europe, is also experiencing the WHO-reported "summer wave of Covid-19". The RKI, which is based in Germany, is part of the European Union's early warning and response system for communicable diseases.
