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Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. MuratImage: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Murat

Robert Koch Institute (RKI)

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is Germany's public health institute. During the COVID-19 outbreak its responsibility for federal disease control and prevention made it a pivotal agency.

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A toddler has just received a vaccination

A toddler has just received a vaccination

Germany sees dramatic rise in measles cases

Anti-vaccine social media, the COVID-19 pandemic and imported cases are thought to be behind the drastic increase.

This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows Mpox virus particles

This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows Mpox virus particles

Germany detects first mpox variant Ib case

An infection with the new mpox variant Ib has been detected for the first time in Germany.

A demonstrator reacts in front of police officers during a protest against the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Kassel, March, 20, 2021.

A demonstrator reacts in front of police officers during a protest against the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Kassel, March, 20, 2021.

Germany grapples with divisive impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Masks, lockdowns and social distancing: Rarely has government policy polarized society as it did over COVID-19.

Government press conference on the coronavirus situation in February 2022

Government press conference on the coronavirus situation in February 2022

Germany: Head of RKI health agency to step down

Lothar Wieler, who is retiring as RKI head, became a household name during the COVID crisis.

A woman wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus travels on a metro in Berlin, Germany

A woman wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus travels on a metro in Berlin, Germany

RKI: Germany has reached the omicron peak

The Robert Koch Institute warned coronavirus infections remained high.

A woman gets herself tested for COVID-19 in front of portable cabins set up in Berlin

A woman gets herself tested for COVID-19 in front of portable cabins set up in Berlin

Germany hits new COVID record, amid debate on what next

Germany has reported another daily record of coronavirus infections as calls rise to relax the measures in place.

A laboratory technician holds up a positive rapid antigen test

A laboratory technician holds up a positive rapid antigen test

Omicron: PCR tests rationed in Germany

Can rapid antigen tests reliably bridge the gap?

A woman walks pass a cafe with empty chairs and tables in city center of Bonn, Germany

A woman walks pass a cafe with empty chairs and tables in city center of Bonn, Germany

Germany: Omicron wave breaks new weekly cases record

The new wave of coronavirus infections in Germany has now surpassed the previous wave in November.

Vials of COVID-19 tests

Vials of COVID-19 tests

Germany records new daily record of infections

The Robert Koch Institute reports another new daily record of infections in Germany. DW has the latest.

The number of hospitalizations and deaths is expected to increase, even if omicron is milder

The number of hospitalizations and deaths is expected to increase, even if omicron is milder

Germany expects omicron rise in deaths

The head of Germany’s disease control agency has said hospitalizations and deaths are set to rise.

Workers on the telephone in the Berlin Mitte health office

Workers on the telephone in the Berlin Mitte health office

Germany's COVID figures may be an undercount

The number of new COVID-19 infections could be two to three times higher than the official figures suggest.

Medical staff care for a COVID patient in Bochum, Germany

Medical staff care for a COVID patient in Bochum, Germany

Germany records first death from omicron variant

The person who died was between the ages of 60 and 79, according to the Robert Koch Institute health body.

A patient being treated at an intensive care station in Rostock

A patient being treated at an intensive care station in Rostock

Germany's ICU medics expect COVID surge before Christmas

Medics have warned that intensive care cases could soon exceed those at last winter's peak.

The interior of a German air force Airbus A310 MedEvac plane, prepared to transport COVID ICU patients to different hospitals in Germany.

The interior of a German air force Airbus A310 MedEvac plane, prepared to transport COVID ICU patients to different hospitals in Germany.

COVID: Germany calls in air force to transfer ICU patients

Military transfers of COVID ICU patients could be done "once, or twice, but not indefinitely," Jens Spahn said.

A worker administers a COVID test at a drive-through testing site in Cologne, Germany

A worker administers a COVID test at a drive-through testing site in Cologne, Germany

Germany's COVID incidence rate hits record high

A wave of new infections in Germany is prompting calls for stricter curbs and the resumption of free COVID tests.

A COVID-19 patient is wheeled through a German hospital

A COVID-19 patient is wheeled through a German hospital

Germany's COVID cases hit record daily high

Health officials have met to discuss the possibility of fresh restrictions for the unvaccinated.

A person in a shopping center with a mask in their hand

A person in a shopping center with a mask in their hand

German COVID rate soars to highest level since May

The number of COVID-19 cases in Germany has risen sharply in the past week, hitting 100 cases per 100,000 people.

A young woman puts on a mask

A young woman puts on a mask

Germany: Health agency forecasts spike in COVID cases

The Robert Koch Institute has warned that after months of decreasing numbers, cases are sharply on the rise again.

Ambulances in London

Ambulances in London

COVID-19 digest: UK government had the 'wrong' approach

The UK was too slow to lock down, according to a report from a cross-party group of lawmakers. DW has the latest.

A girl being vaccinated in Berlin, seen from the back

A girl being vaccinated in Berlin, seen from the back

Germany's Spahn urges more jabs amid 'fourth wave' warnings

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has said more people need to receive COVID jabs to ensure a safe fall and winter.

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel

COVID: Germany labels US, Israel, Turkey as 'high risk'

The announcement triggers automatic quarantine rules. Montenegro and Vietnam were also categorized as high-risk.

A participant submits for an express PCR test for Covid-19 outside the KiKat Club prior to taking part in an experimental, limited opening of Berlin nightclubs during the coronavirus pandemic on August 06, 2021 in Berlin

A participant submits for an express PCR test for Covid-19 outside the KiKat Club prior to taking part in an experimental, limited opening of Berlin nightclubs during the coronavirus pandemic on August 06, 2021 in Berlin

Global COVID digest: Germany's 'fourth wave is coming'

Bavaria's State Premier Markus Söder said a fourth wave of the virus is inevitable. All the latest on coronavirus here.

young girl gets a shot

young girl gets a shot

Germany: Top advisers hold off endorsing vaccine for teens

The Standing Committee on Vaccination, which advises the government, has not yet backed inoculating teens against COVID.

A couple is vaccinated against the coronavirus at a drive-in vaccination center in Schwelm

A couple is vaccinated against the coronavirus at a drive-in vaccination center in Schwelm

Coronavirus: 15% of Germans have been vaccinated

The Robert Koch Institute for disease control says 12.7 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

A person lies in a hospital bed, with monitoring equipment in the foreground

A person lies in a hospital bed, with monitoring equipment in the foreground

Germany's 3rd wave likely 'harder to curb'

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has said the country's health system could be pushed to its limits in April.

A COVID-19 patient being treated in a German hospital

A COVID-19 patient being treated in a German hospital

Germany reports highest daily COVID cases for two months

Germany reports its biggest daily rise in case since January 22, according to the latest figures from the RKI.

Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany's Robert Koch Institute, addresses a new conference in Berlin

Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany's Robert Koch Institute, addresses a new conference in Berlin

Germany Covid: RKI chief says B117 to dominate new cases

Lothar Wieler called for caution over the highly contagious B117 variant.

A sign in Bonn's city center indicates that a mask is required.

A sign in Bonn's city center indicates that a mask is required.

Infections in Germany stagnate at high level

An end to the COVID-19 lockdown in Germany is in reach, but people need to remain cautious, the health minister said.

Nurses look after a COVID-19 patient in Essen, Germany

Nurses look after a COVID-19 patient in Essen, Germany

COVID variants proven to be more infectious

New data shows how much more dangerous the new coronavirus mutations are, said the head of the RKI.

a certificate of vaccination and a child receiving injection into its arm

a certificate of vaccination and a child receiving injection into its arm

Germany: Vaccines have always been political

Who decides what is being done to your body — you or the state? Here's a political history of vaccinations in Germany.

Düsseldorf Airport platform empty

Düsseldorf Airport platform empty

Germany warns against travel as variant spreads

Germany's health authority said the country will have COVID-19 under control by the end of 2021.

Thurau Jens Kommentarbild App

Thurau Jens Kommentarbild App

The coronavirus is here to stay

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dedicated her New Year's address mostly to the pandemic and its effects on lives.

Gloved hand administering vaccination with syringe

Gloved hand administering vaccination with syringe

Coronavirus: Germany debates how to distribute a vaccine

An effective vaccine against Covid-19 and the pandemic is history? It's not as simple as that.

RKI building in Berlin

RKI building in Berlin

Hack blamed for German coronavirus data delay

Wednesday's cyberattack was the second on the RKI website in less than a week.

The RKI building in Berlin

The RKI building in Berlin

Fire damages German infectious disease institute

Incendiary devices were thrown at the facade of a building belonging to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.

Smartphone showing coronavirus app

Smartphone showing coronavirus app

Germany's coronavirus app gets a boost

Experts believe that as infection rates continue to rise, the app will grow in importance.

Sign with mask

Sign with mask

Germany records 11,000 new COVID-19 cases

For the first time since the pandemic began, Germany has reported more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases in one day.

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Infections surge in Berlin

Chancellor Angela Merkel says she does not want a repeat of the country's spring lockdown.

A scientist in the German Curevac company

A scientist in the German Curevac company

Germany's RKI goes back on pandemic vaccine claim

The Robert Koch Institute said a paper claiming a vaccine could be available this fall was published in error.