Increase in COVID-19 cases again: What you need to know about the new variant
The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in Germany as the country enters the autumn season, which is usually a peak time for the spread of infections. Between October 6 and 12, 2025, approximately 6,435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, representing a significant increase compared to the previous week when only 3,845 new cases were recorded. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's leading public health authority, indicated that the infection rate of COVID-19 has risen by 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, bringing the total to 600 cases per 100,000 people.
There is an increase in infections across all age groups, but some demographic groups are affected more than others. Elderly individuals, especially those over 80 years old, are experiencing the highest infection rates, with a seven-day incidence rate of 31.7 per 100,000 people. This is followed by the age group between 60 and 79 years, where the rate is more moderate at 10.3 cases per 100,000 people. Additionally, younger children, particularly those under four years old, also suffer from a higher than average infection rate, with a rate of 8.3 per 100,000 people.
Despite this increase in cases, the situation remains less severe compared to previous years. By mid-October 2024, the number of new cases nearly doubled, with around 11,570 new cases reported in one week. In comparison, the crisis during the peak of the pandemic in October 2020 saw more than 7,000 new cases in a single day, with numbers later rising to exceed 19,000 cases by the end of the month. This indicates that, despite the rapid spread of the virus now, its severity has diminished due to factors such as immunity and the emergence of less virulent strains.
In terms of regional spread, Bavaria continues to record the highest infection rate of the coronavirus, with 12.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This is followed by the states of Brandenburg and Berlin, where the rate in each is 11.9 and 11.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. In Lower Saxony, the rates were the lowest, with 3.3 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants recorded last week. The increase in cases is ongoing across all federal states, indicating a rise in infections nationwide.
The currently dominant strain driving the spread of the coronavirus in Germany is the "Stratos" strain, also known as lineage XFG. This strain, which is a composite of the subvariants of Omicron LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, now represents 71% of monitored cases. Although it replicates quickly in the upper respiratory tract, leading to rapid spread, there is no evidence to suggest that it causes severe cases of illness.
In addition to the coronavirus, other respiratory viruses such as rhinoviruses and influenza are also spreading. In the week from October 6 to 12, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that approximately 6.5 million cases of acute respiratory illnesses were recorded, with rhinoviruses being the most common. Medical visits due to respiratory illnesses also increased, with visits rising by about 400 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants compared to the previous week. Despite these concerning trends, the number of severe cases remains relatively low, indicating that the overall impact of these viruses is moderate.
In general, although the increase in COVID-19 cases is a cause for concern, the situation is still far from the peaks of previous times. Experts continue to monitor the evolving situation, especially with the country entering flu season and the spread of other respiratory viruses.