The latest epidemiological data on viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV) in our country for the 41st week of 2023 (October 9, 2023 – October 15, 2023) was presented by EODY.

In summary week 41/2023:

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

– positivity in all tested samples remained at stable levels
– the number of admissions for COVID-19 (n=1,082) showed an increase compared to the previous week and a 26% increase compared to the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous 4 weeks
– the number of new intubations showed an increase compared to the previous week, as well as an increase compared to the average weekly number of new intubations over the previous 4 weeks

– the number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 53

– 51 deaths were recorded with a median age of 86 years (range 56-100 years)

– during the last weeks all the strains sequenced belonged to Omicron’s BA.2 sub-variant

– at week 39 the most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (39%), followed by EG.5 (24%) and XBB.1.16 (23%)
– in Greece a total of 49 positive samples of the BA.2.86 sub-variant have been recorded, with sampling dates from September 5 to 28
– surveillance of viral load in municipal wastewater showed an increase in SARSCoV-2 virus circulation in 6 of the 9 areas tested

Influenza virus

✓ flu positivity in the community remains below 10%* (sentinel)
✓ no new serious cases with hospitalization in ICU were recorded, while one death was recorded
from laboratory-confirmed influenza during week 41/2023. 2 severe cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza with ICU hospitalization, with an admission date within week 40/2023, were retrospectively reported
✓ in the two influenza reference centers, 4 samples positive for influenza viruses (sentinel samples and hospital samples) have been recorded since week 40/2023, all A(H1N1)pdm09

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

✓ positivity remained at low levels