Cold Wave Hits Central Germany As Doctors Warn Of Rising Infections

The first wave of autumn respiratory illnesses has arrived in doctor’s offices across Central Germany, bringing increased patient volume to medical practices even as official monitoring data shows overall sickness rates holding at moderate levels, mdr.de reported on Oct. 13, 2026. Health authorities and local physicians report that while regional clinic waiting rooms are filling up, nationwide statistics from the Robert Koch-Institut indicate that general infection numbers actually decreased slightly compared to the previous week.

Rising Patient Visits at Clinics in Erlabrunn

Waiting rooms at the medical care center of Kliniken Erlabrunn are packed to capacity, with patients waiting in corridors for consultations. While some visitors present with injuries rather than viral infections, the influx of respiratory illness has begun to strain medical facilities. According to the Robert Koch-Institut, outpatient doctor visits have increased slightly despite a moderate overall level of outpatient illnesses and low levels in the inpatient sector. The circulating pathogens currently consist primarily of rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, and parainfluenzaviruses.

Staff Shortages During the Autumn Holidays

The arrival of seasonal sniffles has impacted clinic staff alongside patients, creating operational bottlenecks across regional medical facilities. Heike Stepponat, medical director of the MVZ Erlabrunn, described the staffing challenges facing local practices during the school break. The sniffles have arrived – among patients and unfortunately also among staff, Stepponat told mdr.de. We are weakened by substitution shortages, so we have sick nurses and some who are on vacation because they have small children who now have autumn vacations. That’s why we can’t play all practices at the moment. Stepponat noted that staff absences forced her to deploy to the Erlabrunn location rather than her scheduled post in Sosa due to a lack of available personnel.

Anticipated Post-Holiday Infection Surge

Medical professionals expect infection rates to accelerate significantly once the regional autumn holidays conclude and travelers return from vacation areas. Stepponat observed a broad spectrum of symptoms among current patients, shifting from summer gastrointestinal ailments to severe respiratory infections including sore throats, bronchitis, sinusitis, and earaches. It will really start when people come back from the autumn holidays and drag the first germs back from the holiday areas, Stepponat stated. She also pointed to fluctuating autumn temperatures and chilly winds as contributing factors to the early-season caseload.

Hygiene and Preventive Measures Recommended

To mitigate infection risks during the rising viral wave, medical staff advise maintaining strict personal hygiene alongside appropriate seasonal clothing. Stepponat recommends regular handwashing after returning from public spaces and before meals, as well as practicing proper respiratory etiquette by coughing or sneezing into the crook of the arm rather than the open air. In addition, the Erlabrunn medical center distributes surgical masks in waiting areas to help non-infected patients prevent cross-contamination while seeking care.