High levels of flu activity in the community continue to move higher, with further increases, in contrast to COVID-19 where positivity is showing very low levels.

The positivity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus – RSV is also registering an increase.

According to the epidemiological report of the EODC for the week of February 3-8, eight new severe cases with ICU hospitalization and five new deaths from influenza were recorded.

Specifically, the EHRC report states the following:

Flu virus

Community influenza positivity (as estimated by the PHC Sentinel surveillance network) remains above the threshold that marks the seasonal period of influenza activity, with no notable change from the previous week.

The positivity of SARI surveillance network samples showed an increase over the previous week.

Eight new severe cases of ICU hospitalization and five new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded in the last week. In addition, five severe cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza with ICU hospitalization and one laboratory-confirmed death related to previous weeks were reported retrospectively.

In total, since the beginning of influenza surveillance, 126 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases with ICU hospitalization and 36 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza have been recorded.

Among 2,295 specimens (originating from sentinel community, SARI surveillance and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 351 (15%) positive specimens for influenza viruses were detected. Of these, 339 were typed, with 287 (85%) belonging to type A and 52 (15%) to type B.

Of the 268 type A strains subtyping, 174 (65%) belonged to subtype A(H1)pdm09 and 94 (35%) to subtype A(H3).

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

Positivity in all tested samples is at very low levels and showed a decrease compared to the previous week. 188 new admissions were recorded. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous four weeks was 420.

Three new intubations were recorded. The average weekly number of new intubations over the previous four weeks was nine.

The number of patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized intubated is 20.

The number of deaths was nine. The average weekly number of deaths over the previous four weeks was 24.

From the beginning of 2024 to February 8, 2025, the recorded deaths in serious incidents (intubated and/or ICU hospitalized) were 372.

Illness of Influenza – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of cases of flu-like illness per 1,000 visits showed a decrease compared to the previous week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen)

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

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

Positivity showed an increase in the community (Sentinel PHC surveillance network) and a decrease in the SARI surveillance network, however remaining at low levels.