"As of October 1st, it notes that the 7-day-incidence rate for laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases has increased in the past four weeks. Confirmed infection rates remain low compared to the peaks that were seen between 2021 and 2023. But the number of actual cases is likely much higher, because people are not generally testing for Covid anymore. The viral load of Covid in wastewater samples has also increased recently."
"Typical symptoms of the XFG strain are a sharp soar throat, hoarseness and a dry cough - in addition to the standard symptoms like fever, runny nose and aching limbs. Looking ahead to the autumn and winter months, further waves seem likely. But testing of the latest Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines has confirmed that they continue to improve immune response to the latest dominant variants, including XFG."
Germany's 7-day incidence for laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 rose over the past four weeks as of October 1, though rates remain lower than 2021–2023 peaks. Testing has declined, so actual infections are likely undercounted, and wastewater viral load has increased. The XFG variant, also called the "Frankenstein" or "stratus" variant, emerged in early 2025 and is now prevalent in Germany, the UK, France and other countries. XFG commonly causes a sharp soar throat, hoarseness and a dry cough alongside fever, runny nose and aching limbs. Further autumn and winter waves appear likely. Pfizer–BioNTech boosters enhance immune response to dominant variants, including XFG. STIKO recommends annual boosters for people aged 60+, care facility residents, those with underlying conditions, healthcare workers, and relatives of high‑risk patients.
Read at The Local Germany
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