There is a decrease in the positivity of tested samples for SARS-CoV2, in the week of May 29 – June 4, according to the weekly epidemiological report of the EODY for viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV ).

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection: The positivity in all tested samples showed a decrease compared to the previous week. The number of admissions for COVID-19 (486) showed a decrease from the previous week and a 21% decrease from the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks. The number of new intubations (15) showed an increase compared to the previous week, while it is identical to the average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks. The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 37. There were 38 deaths with a median age of 86.5 years (range 63-97 years). In recent weeks all sequenced strains belonged to the Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.5, with BA.2 predominating. The most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (83%), followed by XBB.1.16 (14%). Viral load surveillance in urban wastewater showed a reduction in SARSCoV-2 virus circulation in 5 of the 6 areas tested.

Influenza virus: Influenza positivity in the community remains low (sentinel). There was no new severe case of laboratory-confirmed influenza with ICU hospitalization, nor a new death from laboratory-confirmed influenza. In total, since the beginning of the influenza surveillance, 68 people with influenza have been hospitalized in the ICU and 26 deaths have been recorded. During the same period, 370 samples positive for influenza viruses (sentinel samples and hospital samples) were recorded in the two influenza reference centers, of which 289 (78%) were type A strains and 81 (22%) were type B strains.

Influenza cases (regardless of pathogen): An increase compared to the previous week was recorded in the community.