Respiratory Illnesses Surge in Berlin: COVID-19, Flu, and ARE on the Rise

Berlin, December 13 – As winter settles in, Berlin is grappling with a notable increase in various respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and other acute respiratory infections. The latest data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for December 2025 reveals the current infection landscape, highlighting the affected age groups and overall trends.

COVID-19 in Berlin: Incidence at 11.5

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to be a prevalent respiratory illness. In the past week, Berlin reported 431 new COVID-19 cases. The highest 7-day incidence rate of 57.2 per 100,000 inhabitants is observed in the over-80 age group. Across all age groups, Berlin’s current 7-day COVID-19 incidence stands at 11.5 per 100,000 inhabitants as of December 12, 2025. Since the pandemic’s onset, a total of 1,474,929 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the city.

Influenza in Berlin: 252 New Cases

The ‘true’ flu (influenza), caused by the influenza virus, often presents with a sudden onset of illness, high fever, and body aches. In calendar week 49, Berlin registered 252 new influenza cases, corresponding to an influenza incidence of 6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Acute Respiratory and Flu-like Illnesses in Eastern Germany

Beyond influenza, the development of regional case numbers for acute respiratory illnesses (ARE) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI) is closely monitored. ARE, as defined by the RKI, includes all new respiratory illnesses with cough, sore throat, or fever. ILI is a specific form of ARE where fever occurs in addition to cough or sore throat.

The estimated weekly incidence of acute respiratory illnesses in the greater Eastern region, which includes Berlin, for calendar week 49 is 9,200 per 100,000 inhabitants. This marks an increase from the previous week (8,700) and is above the nationwide average of 8,600. For flu-like illnesses, an incidence of 2,300 per 100,000 inhabitants is currently estimated, also an increase from the previous week (1,900) and higher than the nationwide average of 1,700.

These estimated incidences are based on self-reported data from voluntary participants in the RKI’s GrippeWeb online portal. In calendar week 49/2025, 1,731 participants from the Eastern region and 9,394 nationwide reported their health status. It is important to note that these are self-reports and not laboratory-confirmed findings.

No New RSV Cases in Berlin

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a global cause of respiratory illnesses, affecting individuals of all ages. Infants, premature babies, young children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to severe courses of the disease. In calendar week 50, Berlin recorded no new RSV cases, with the current RSV incidence at 0 laboratory-confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The highest RSV incidence of the current year in Berlin was observed in calendar week 09/2025, with 231 new RSV cases registered within a single week, corresponding to an incidence of 6.15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The data underscores the dynamic nature of respiratory illness trends in Berlin, urging continued vigilance and adherence to public health recommendations. The RKI continues to monitor the situation closely, providing daily updates as the data evolves.

Source: Robert Koch Institute (RKI), news.de