Increased activity of the virus, which causes the Covid-19 infection in our country, continues to be recorded. There is an increasing trend in admissions for hospitalization and deaths, therefore it is recommended for vulnerable population groups (the elderly and people with underlying diseases) to scrupulously observe preventive measures against respiratory infections and seek medical advice in time for symptoms, in order to provide timely treatment. At the same time, it is recommended to the general population, in the presence of respiratory infection symptoms, to limit contacts with people belonging to vulnerable groups.

The positivity in all tested samples showed a slight increase compared to the previous week.

923 new imports were recorded showing an increasing trend. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous four weeks was 626 and the number of admissions in the corresponding week of 2023 was 321. The number of new intubations was 16. The average weekly number of new intubations over the previous four weeks was nine and the number of intubations in the corresponding week of 2023 was nine. The number of patients with COVID-19 infection who are hospitalized with intubation is 21.

The number of deaths was 38. The average weekly number of deaths in the previous four weeks was 28 and the number of deaths in the corresponding week in 2023 was 26. BA.2.86 carrying at least one of the F456L mutations and R346T, with its prevalence during the last weeks. It is noted that this category of mutant strains has not been associated with an increased risk of severe disease.

Viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed an increase in SARS-CoV-2 virus circulation in six of the ten areas tested.

6 deaths from West Nile virus

At the same time until yesterday 7/31/2024, the number of declared cases with a laboratory diagnosis of West Nile virus infection, with and without manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS) in our country had also increased. Seventeen (17) new domestic cases were diagnosed/reported during the last week. As of the beginning of 2024, the number of recorded cases stands at 33 and West Nile virus-related deaths at 6.