Berlin Faces Ongoing Respiratory Illness Challenge in February 2026

Berlin’s Ongoing Battle with Respiratory Illnesses: February 2026 Update

Berlin, February 14 – The German capital continues to monitor the spread of various respiratory illnesses as of February 2026. The latest figures released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on February 13, 2026, indicate a persistent presence of COVID-19 and influenza, alongside a broader trend of acute respiratory diseases. While the overall situation requires continued vigilance, there are no new reported cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in the city.

COVID-19: A Persistent Presence

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, remains a prevalent respiratory illness in Berlin. In the past week, 81 new cases were reported, bringing the 7-day incidence rate to 2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants across all age groups. The highest incidence, at 8.8, is observed in the over-80 age bracket. Since the pandemic’s onset, Berlin has recorded a cumulative total of 1,476,662 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Influenza: 396 New Cases Reported

The ‘true’ flu, or influenza, continues to circulate in Berlin. In calendar week 52, 396 new influenza cases were registered, resulting in an influenza incidence rate of 10.69. This highly contagious viral infection is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms, including high fever and body aches.

Acute Respiratory Illnesses and Flu-like Illnesses in Eastern Germany

Beyond specific diagnoses like COVID-19 and influenza, the RKI also tracks acute respiratory illnesses (ARE) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI). ARE encompasses all new respiratory illnesses presenting with cough, sore throat, or fever, while ILI is a specific subset of ARE where fever is always present in addition to cough or sore throat.

For calendar week 06/2026, the estimated weekly incidence of acute respiratory illnesses in the Eastern German region, which includes Berlin, stands at 9,300 per 100,000 inhabitants. This marks an increase from the previous week’s 8,900 and surpasses the national average of 9,000. Conversely, the incidence of flu-like illnesses in the Eastern region is estimated at 1,900 per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease from the previous week’s 2,700, and falls below the nationwide average of 2,200.

These estimated incidences for the German population are derived from voluntary self-reports submitted to the RKI’s online portal, GrippeWeb. In calendar week 06/2026, 1,768 participants from the Eastern region and 9,892 individuals nationwide provided their health data. It is important to note that these figures are based on self-reported information and not laboratory-confirmed findings.

RSV: No New Cases in Berlin

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a global cause of respiratory infections, can affect individuals of all ages, with severe cases predominantly observed in infants, young children, and the elderly. In calendar week 52, Berlin reported no new RSV cases, maintaining an RSV incidence of 0 laboratory-confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The ongoing monitoring and reporting of these respiratory illnesses by the RKI provide crucial insights into the health landscape of Berlin and the broader Eastern German region, enabling public health officials to make informed decisions and recommendations.

Source: news.de