The first serious case of influenza with hospitalization in ICU was recorded last week, according to the weekly (September 30-October 6) epidemiological report of the EODY on respiratory infections. Regarding SARS-CoV2, positivity in the community is decreasing.

In particular:

Influenza-like illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of influenza cases per 1,000 visits is at low levels, corresponding to last year.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits is at low levels, corresponding to last year.

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

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

613 new imports were recorded, showing a slight decrease compared to the previous week. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks was 592.

The number of new intubations was six. The average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks was eight. The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 23.

The number of deaths was 17. The average weekly number of deaths in the previous 4 weeks was 28.

As of 9/27, the KP.3 sub-variant of BA.2.86 was recognized by the ECDC as a strain of interest, while the XEC sub-variant of BA.2.86 was also put under surveillance. In recent weeks the predominant strain is KP.3, while the first XEC strains were detected in the country. These strains have not been associated with an increased risk of severe disease.

Nationally, the weighted viral load in municipal wastewater is at moderate levels relative to historical data, showing no significant change from the previous week. In four of the ten regions the levels of the viral load appear high, with an apparent increasing trend, while in the remaining regions the levels are low/moderate.

Influenza virus

Influenza positivity as assessed by surveillance networks in the community (PHC Sentinel Surveillance Network) and in the hospital setting (SARI Surveillance Network) is very low, with detection of only sporadic positive samples.

One serious case with hospitalization in the ICU was recorded, while no deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

No positive samples were found in both the community (PHC Sentinel surveillance network) and hospitals (SARI surveillance network).