The number of detected cases of the new coronavirus subline XBB.1.5 in Germany was still relatively low at the end of 2022.
“The XBB.1.5 variant, which is widespread in the United States of America, had a share of 1 percent,” writes the Robert Koch Institute in its Covid 19 weekly report on Thursday evening.
"Their share in the previous weeks was less than 0.5 percent." Like other sub-lines, the sub-line is under observation.
Preliminary data indicated a growth advantage over other and previously circulating sublines.
The information relates to data from the last week of the past year and is based on small absolute numbers.
Because the complete virus genome is only examined in a very small proportion of positive samples.
In the report, the RKI also points out lower laboratory capacities during the holidays and the turn of the year.
The report said the seven-day incidence had fallen 14 percent nationwide in the past week compared to the previous week.
"Following the significant decline and an interim slight increase before the turn of the year, there are now signs of a further decrease in the number of cases," says the report.
Late registrations are still possible in view of the holidays, the turn of the year and a cyber attack in Potsdam.
Experts have been assuming for some time that there will be a large number of cases not recorded by the RKI - mainly because not all infected people have a PCR test done.
But only positive PCR tests count in the statistics.