Respiratory Virus Watch: Hamburg’s Winter Health Update – February 16, 2026
As winter continues, many residents of Hamburg are contending with coughs, sniffles, and sore throats. However, not all respiratory illnesses are created equal. Medical professionals differentiate between acute respiratory infections, flu-like illnesses, influenza (the “real” flu), common colds, and other infections like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Here’s a look at the current situation in Hamburg, based on the latest data.
COVID-19 in Hamburg: Current Trends
COVID-19 remains a prevalent respiratory illness. The disease can cause symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the last week, Hamburg reported 31 new COVID-19 cases. The highest 7-day incidence rate is 10.3 among those aged 80 and over. Across all age groups, the 7-day incidence rate in Hamburg is currently 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (as of February 15, 2026). Since the start of the pandemic, 828,028 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hamburg.
| Age Group | 7-Day Incidence | New Cases Last 7 Days | Total COVID-19 Cases in HH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00-04 | 1 | 1 | 24,871 |
| 05-14 | 0 | 0 | 100,457 |
| 15-34 | 1 | 5 | 275,522 |
| 35-59 | 0.3 | 2 | 309,585 |
| 60-79 | 3.3 | 11 | 83,452 |
| 80+ | 10.3 | 12 | 33,671 |
| 00+ | 1.6 | 31 | 828,028 |
Influenza Update: Cases Rising
Influenza, or the “real” flu, is caused by the influenza virus and is often characterized by a sudden onset of illness, high fever, and body aches. In the 52nd calendar week, 128 new flu cases were registered in Hamburg, corresponding to a flu incidence of 6.84.
| Age Group | New Flu Cases Last Week | Influenza Incidence in HH |
|---|---|---|
| 00-14 | 35 | 13.01 |
| 15-59 | 40 | 3.47 |
| 60+ | 53 | 11.8 |
| 00+ | 128 | 6.84 |
Acute Respiratory Infections and Flu-Like Illnesses in Northern Germany
Alongside tracking influenza, the development of regional case numbers for acute respiratory infections and flu-like illnesses is closely monitored. Acute respiratory infections (ARE) encompass all new respiratory illnesses with cough, sore throat, or fever, according to the Robert Koch Institute’s definition. A flu-like illness (ILI) is a specific form of ARE where fever is always present in addition to cough or sore throat.
The following overview presents ARE and ILI figures for the German region of Northern (West) Germany for the 6th calendar week and compares them to the national average.
| KW 06/2026 | Region Northern (West) | Germany Total |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Infections per 100,000 pop. | 9,200 (Previous week: 9,400) | 9,000 |
| Flu-Like Illnesses per 100,000 pop. | 2,300 (Previous week: 2,500) | 2,200 |
The estimated weekly incidence of acute respiratory infections in the Northern (West) Germany region, which includes Hamburg, is 9,200 per 100,000 inhabitants for the 6th calendar week. This represents a decrease compared to the previous week (9,400) but remains above the national average of 9,000. For flu-like illnesses, an incidence of 2,300 per 100,000 inhabitants is currently estimated. This value has also decreased compared to the previous week (2,500). As with respiratory infections, the values for flu-like illnesses are above the nationwide average of 2,200.
RSV Cases Remain Low
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory pathogen that can affect people of all ages. Infants, premature babies, young children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to severe illness. In the 52nd calendar week, there were no new RSV cases in Hamburg. The RSV incidence is currently 0 laboratory-confirmed RSV cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
| Calendar Week | New RSV Cases | RSV Incidence in HH |
|---|---|---|
| 52/2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 51/2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 50/2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 49/2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 48/2025 | 0 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a cold and the flu? The flu typically comes on suddenly and includes high fever and body aches, while a cold develops more gradually with milder symptoms.
- How can I protect myself from respiratory viruses? Frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick are effective preventative measures.
- Where can I find more information about respiratory viruses in Germany? The Robert Koch Institute (https://www.rki.de/EN/Home/homepage_node.html) provides comprehensive data and updates.
Editorial Note: This report is based on current data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and is updated daily. For comments or questions, please contact [email protected].
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