The positivity for influenza is on the rise and SARS-CoV2 in the community. According to the epidemiological report of the EODY for the period 23-29 December, 11 new serious cases with hospitalization in ICU and 2 new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.

In particular in his report EODY refers to:

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

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

The number of new imports showed a decrease compared to the previous week. 515 new imports were recorded. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks was 564.

The number of new intubations was six. The average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks was nine. The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 26.

The number of deaths was 22. The average weekly number of deaths in the previous 4 weeks was 28.

Since the beginning of the year, the recorded deaths in serious cases (intubated and/or with hospitalization in ICU) amount to 336.

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

The average viral load in urban sewage is at moderate levels in five of the eight tested areas, with an increase recorded in four of them compared to the previous week, while in the remaining areas it is at low levels.

Influenza virus

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

The positivity of SARI surveillance network samples is increasing.

11 new serious cases with hospitalization in ICU and 2 new deaths from laboratory confirmed influenza were recorded. In total, there have been 24 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza with ICU hospitalizations and three deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza since the start of influenza surveillance.

Among 1,341 samples (community Sentinel origin, SARI surveillance, and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 72 (5%) positive samples for influenza viruses were found. 70 of them were standardized, with 67 belonging to type A and three to type B.

Of the 67 type A strains subtyped, 20 (30%) belonged to subtype A(H3) and 47 (70%) to subtype A(H1) pdm09.

Influenza-like illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of influenza cases per 1,000 visits is on the rise, showing an increase compared to the previous week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits showed an increase compared to the previous week.

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

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