There was a slight increase in positivity in the tested samples for SARS-CoV2as well as the number of hospital admissions, in the week of July 10-16, according to the weekly epidemiological surveillance report of the EODY for viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV).

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection: The positivity in all tested samples showed a slight increase compared to the previous week. The number of imports for COVID-19 (n=226) showed an increase compared to the previous week and 11% increase relative to the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks. The number of new intubations (n=2) showed a decrease compared to the previous week and a 60% decrease compared to the average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks. The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 17. There were 16 deaths with a median age of 84 years (range 66-98 years).

In recent weeks all sequenced strains belonged to the Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.5, with BA.2 predominating. The most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (77%), followed by XBB.1.16 (16%).

Viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed increased circulation of SARSCoV-2 in 5 of the 10 areas checked. Influenza virus: All samples tested were negative for influenza. No new serious case of laboratory-confirmed influenza with hospitalization in the ICU was recorded, nor was there a new death from laboratory-confirmed influenza. In total, since the beginning of the influenza surveillance, 68 people with influenza were hospitalized in the ICU and 26 deaths were recorded. During the same period, 374 samples positive for influenza viruses (sentinel samples and hospital samples) were registered in the two influenza reference centers, of which 290 (77.5%) were type A strains and 84 (22.5%) were type B strains.

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV: All tested samples were negative for RSV