The positivity of the flu registers an upward trend, the cases of influenza are on the rise, while the positivity for SARS-CoV-2 remained at the same levels as last week.

In particular, in the epidemiological surveillance report of respiratory infections of the EODY for the period 9-15 December, the following are mentioned:

Influenza-like illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of influenza cases per 1,000 visits appears to be on the rise, showing a small increase compared to the previous week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen): The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits is low.

SARS-CoV2 virus – Covid-19 infection

The positivity in all tested samples remained at the same levels compared to the previous week.

The number of new imports showed a decrease compared to the previous week. 514 new imports were recorded. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks was 588.

The number of new intubations was six. The average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks was ten. The number of patients with Covid-19 infection who are intubated is 23.

The number of deaths was 14. The average weekly number of deaths in the previous 4 weeks was 30. Since the beginning of the year, recorded deaths in serious cases (injured and/or with hospitalization in ICU) amount to 326.

The strain that continues to dominate detections is KP.3, while XEC shows an upward trend.

Influenza virus

Influenza positivity in the community (as assessed by the PHC Sentinel Surveillance Network) exceeded the threshold indicating the onset of seasonal influenza activity (10%), continuing its upward trend.

The positivity of SARI surveillance network samples shows a slight decrease.

One new serious case with hospitalization in ICU was recorded, while no new death from laboratory-confirmed influenza was recorded.

In total, there have been seven laboratory-confirmed cases with ICU hospitalization and one death from laboratory-confirmed influenza since the start of influenza surveillance.

Since the beginning of the year, the recorded deaths in serious cases with laboratory-confirmed influenza amount to 62.

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

Positivity in the community (PHC Sentinel surveillance network) is low, while no positive samples were found in hospitals (SARI surveillance network).

Both influenza and Covid-19 infection are associated with a significant number of deaths among severe cases, with Covid-19 infection predominating over influenza. It is recommended that people who meet the requirements for vaccination, especially those at higher risk of serious outcomes (the elderly and people with underlying diseases), get vaccinated for both diseases.