Known Cases of Corona Variants: At Least 25 Reported in Germany
In recent developments, the highly infectious coronavirus mutations first identified in the UK (Alpha variant) and South Africa have spread to European countries, including Germany. However, the Alpha variant has since been replaced by more contagious variants such as Delta and subsequent Omicron subvariants.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s public health institute, closely monitors the distribution of variants within the country. Although the UK and South African original variants were detected, current surveillance systems such as those using large genomic databases (e.g., GISAID) and platforms like CoVerage continuously track mutations and new variants for their transmissibility and immune escape characteristics.
As of the latest information, more recent Omicron-related subvariants dominate rather than the original UK and South African strains. The RKI's focus has shifted towards emerging Omicron variants and their mutations, such as the recombinant form XFG ("Stratus"), which are currently spreading globally but with a low assessed risk of increased severity.
Regarding specific reported numbers by the RKI on the current prevalence of these variants in Germany as of August 2025, the available search results do not provide explicit quantitative figures directly from the RKI. Instead, surveillance data indicate ongoing monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 evolution with highly transmissible Omicron-derived subvariants and recombinant strains emerging as the most relevant at this time, rather than the Alpha or Beta variants themselves.
The South African variant was reported in Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The UK variant was reported in Berlin, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony. At least 25 cases of new, highly infectious coronavirus mutations have been detected in Germany. As of last Thursday, the number of known cases of these mutations stood at 20, according to RKI President Lothar Wieler.
In 17 cases of the first group (UK variant), there is a link abroad, 16 cases are linked to the UK, and one case is linked to the Czech Republic. In three cases of the first group, the source case is still being investigated. In a further five cases, the South African variant of the coronavirus was found. In all five cases of the second group, there is a link to South Africa.
In 20 cases, the UK variant of the coronavirus was detected, making it the most common variant currently circulating in Germany. The RKI continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as more data becomes available. The institute urges the public to remain vigilant, follow health guidelines, and get vaccinated to help curb the spread of these variants.
Other science, such as genomic databases like GISAID and platforms like CoVerage, are utilized by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for continuous tracking of medical-conditions like the new variants of the coronavirus for their transmissibility and immune escape characteristics, particularly the Omicron-related subvariants that dominate over the original UK and South African strains. The RKI's focus, in health-and-wellness terms, is on emerging Omicron variants and their potential impact on the ongoing pandemic, with the outcome being ongoing monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, rather than the Alpha or Beta variants that were initially a concern.
