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Hamburg's Sick Leave Surges Amid Respiratory Illness Wave

Respiratory illnesses are keeping Hamburg's workers home. Face masks are back on trains as a preventive measure.

In this image there is a train on the tracks, to the right of the train there are tracks on the...
In this image there is a train on the tracks, to the right of the train there are tracks on the surface, to the left of the train there are trees, electric poles, cars and buildings, on top of the electric poles there are cables, in front of the train there is a bridge and there is smoke coming out of the train.

Hamburg's Sick Leave Surges Amid Respiratory Illness Wave

Hamburg is experiencing a surge in sick leave reports, with face masks reappearing on trains due to increased coughing and sniffing. The rise in absenteeism is mainly due to respiratory illnesses like the flu and colds. This has been particularly evident in the first half of 2025. Employees in elderly and nursing care, as well as daycare workers, have been most affected by this trend. The number of sick leave reports has been steadily increasing for weeks, causing concern among local health authorities. In response, commuters have started wearing face masks again on public transport to protect themselves and others. The increase in sick leave reports in Hamburg, primarily due to respiratory illnesses, is causing concern. Face masks have reappeared on trains as a precaution. Those working in elderly care and daycare are most impacted, highlighting the need for vigilance and preventive measures.

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