The data on viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV) in our country for week 40/2023 (02 October 2023 – 08 October 2023) was published by EODY.

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

The number of admissions for COVID-19 (n=974) showed an increase from the previous week and a 23% increase from the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks.

At the same time, the number of new intubations increased (increase compared to the previous week, as well as an increase compared to the average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks).

Currently, the number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 38.

In the same week, 48 deaths were recorded with a median age of 86 years (range 75-101 years).

According to the EODY report, during the last weeks all the strains sequenced belonged to the BA.2 sub-variant
of Omicron. at week 38 the most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (38%), followed by
EG.5 (28%) and BBB.1.16 (27%).

A total of 19 positive samples of the BA.2.86 sub-variant have been recorded in Greece, with sampling dates from 5 to 19 September.

Also, viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed an increase in SARSCoV-2 virus circulation in 3 of the 9 areas tested.

Influenza virus

– flu positivity in the community remains below 10%* (sentinel)
– no serious cases with ICU hospitalization or laboratory deaths were recorded
confirmed flu during week 40/2023
– in week 40/2023, 4 samples positive for influenza viruses (sentinel samples and hospital samples), all type A (subtype A(H1N1)pdm09) were recorded in the two influenza reference centers