Influenza positivity remains high in the community for the week of March 3-9. According to the EODY epidemiological report, seven severe cases and three deaths from influenza were recorded. In contrast, COVID-19 levels remain low, with 90 new hospital admissions and six new deaths.

Detailed Breakdown of the EODY Report:

Influenza Virus

• Influenza positivity in the community (as estimated by the Sentinel surveillance network) remains high, though it has decreased compared to the previous week.
• The positivity rate of samples from the SARI surveillance network also decreased compared to the previous week.
• Over the last week, seven new severe cases requiring ICU admission and three new deaths due to laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.
• Additionally, five previously unreported severe cases requiring ICU admission and two retrospective deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were documented from previous weeks.
• Since the beginning of the influenza season up to March 9, 2025, a total of 166 laboratory-confirmed ICU cases and 55 deaths due to influenza have been recorded.

Influenza Testing Data

• Out of 3,225 samples (from the Sentinel network, SARI surveillance, and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 672 (21%) tested positive for influenza viruses.
• 661 samples were typed, with 457 (70%) belonging to type A and 204 (30%) to type B.
• Among the 435 subtyped type A strains, 230 (53%) were A(H1)pdm09, while 205 (47%) were A(H3).

SARS-CoV-2 – COVID-19 Infection

• Positivity remains at consistently low levels across all tested samples.
• 90 new hospital admissions were recorded. The weekly average of new admissions over the past four weeks was 159.
• No new intubations were recorded. The weekly average for new intubations over the past four weeks was two. Currently, seven patients remain intubated due to COVID-19.
• Six new deaths were reported. The weekly average for deaths over the past four weeks was nine.

From January 1, 2024, to March 9, 2025, the total recorded deaths among severe cases (intubated and/or ICU-hospitalized) reached 385.

Influenza-like Illness (ILI) – Regardless of Pathogen

• The number of ILI cases per 1,000 medical visits had shown an upward trend in 2024 but has stabilized since early 2025, experiencing minor weekly fluctuations.
• Over the past week, a decrease was observed 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)

• Community positivity (Sentinel surveillance network) remained low, decreasing compared to the previous week.
• However, an increase in RSV positivity was observed within the SARI surveillance network.