Berlin’s Infection Landscape: Low Incidence of COVID-19, Flu, and RSV in August 2026

Berlin, August 14 – The latest statistics from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for August 2026 indicate a generally low infection rate for common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), across the German capital. This update provides an overview of the current spread of these infections and highlights particularly affected age groups.

COVID-19 in Berlin: 7-Day Incidence at 0.1

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to be a prevalent respiratory illness. In the past week, Berlin recorded 5 new COVID-19 cases. The highest 7-day incidence for COVID-19, at 0.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, was observed in the 35-59 age group. Across all age groups, Berlin’s current 7-day COVID-19 incidence stands at 0.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (as of August 13, 2026). Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 1,476,965 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in Berlin.

Detailed COVID-19 Statistics by Age Group:

Influenza in Berlin: 3 New Cases Reported

The ‘true’ flu (influenza), caused by the influenza virus, is often characterized by a sudden onset of illness, high fever, and body aches. In calendar week 32, Berlin registered 3 new influenza cases, resulting in an influenza incidence of 0.08 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Influenza Cases by Age Group (Calendar Week 32):

Acute Respiratory Illnesses and Flu-like Illnesses in Eastern Germany

Beyond the spread of influenza, the regional case numbers for acute respiratory illnesses (ARE) and flu-like illnesses (ILI) are also closely monitored. According to the RKI’s definition, ARE encompasses all newly occurring respiratory illnesses accompanied by a sore throat, cough, or fever. ILI is a specific form of ARE where fever is always present, in addition to a cough or sore throat.

The following overview presents the ARE and ILI figures for calendar week 31 for the major region of Eastern Germany and compares them with the national average incidence for Germany.

ARE and ILI Incidence (Calendar Week 31/2026):

The estimated weekly incidence of acute respiratory illnesses in the major region of Eastern Germany, which includes Berlin, was 1,600 per 100,000 inhabitants in calendar week 31. This marks a decrease compared to the previous week (3,600) and remains below the nationwide average of 3,000. For flu-like illnesses, an incidence of 400 per 100,000 inhabitants is currently estimated, also a decrease from the previous week (700). Similar to ARE, the values for ILI in the Eastern region are below Germany’s estimated national average of 700.

These estimated incidences for the German population are based on voluntary self-reports from individuals registered with the RKI’s online portal, GrippeWeb, who regularly provide information on their health status. In calendar week 31/2026, a total of 1,506 participants from the Eastern region reported their data, while nationwide figures are based on reports from 8,302 individuals. It is important to note that these are self-reported data and not laboratory-confirmed findings.

No New RSV Cases in Berlin

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a globally common cause of respiratory illnesses that can affect individuals of all ages. Young children, especially premature infants, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to severe courses of the disease. In calendar week 32, there were no new RSV cases reported in Berlin, with the RSV incidence currently at 0 laboratory-confirmed RSV cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The highest RSV incidence of the current year in Berlin was recorded in calendar week 05/2026, when 226 new RSV cases were registered within a week, corresponding to an RSV incidence of 6.02 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

RSV Cases in Berlin (Recent Calendar Weeks):

The data presented in this report is compiled based on current information from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and is updated daily. For further inquiries or comments, please contact [email protected].

Source: news.de