The positivity of covid-19 as well as the flu virus increased in the last week, according to the weekly report of EODY on viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV) in the country us, from March 27 to April 2.

– SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

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

The number of admissions for COVID-19 showed a decrease compared to the previous week and a 14% decrease compared to the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks.

The number of new intubations showed a decrease compared to the previous week and a 38% decrease compared to the average weekly number of new intubations over the previous 4 weeks.

The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 65.

There were 47 deaths with a median age of 84 years (range 50-97 years).

In recent weeks all sequenced strains belonged to the Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.5, with BA.2 predominating.

The sub-variant BQ.1.1 was the most frequent sub-variant of BA.5 (84%).

The most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (69%), followed by BA.2.75 sub-variant (21%).

Viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed an increase in the circulation of SARS CoV2 in 3 of the 10 areas tested.

– Influenza virus –

Influenza positivity in the community showed a small increase in sentinel samples.

One new severe case of laboratory-confirmed influenza with hospitalization in the ICU was recorded, while one new death from laboratory-confirmed influenza was reported.

In total, 66 people with flu have been hospitalized in ICU and 23 deaths have been recorded. 332 samples positive for influenza viruses (sentinel samples and hospital samples) have been recorded in the two influenza reference centers, of which 285 (86%) were type A strains and 47 (14%) were type B strains.

Of the 283 type A strains subtyped, 257 (91%) were classified as subtype A(H3N2) and 26 (9%) as subtype A(H1N1).

During the last weeks, there has been an increase in the influenza type B virus.

– Influenza syndromes (regardless of the pathogen) –

A decrease compared to the previous week was recorded in the community.

– Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) –

All tested samples were negative for RSV.