Following last week’s significant drop, positivity for flu in the community shows a slight increase, according to the National Public Health Agency’s (EHRC) epidemiology report for March 24-30.

In the last week, two new severe cases with ICU hospitalization and four new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.

Regarding COVID-19 positivity is consistently at low levels. There were 83 new admissions, three new intubations, and five deaths.

Specifically, the report of the EHRC states:

Illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of cases of flu-like illness per 1,000 visits remained at the same level as last week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen)

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

Coronavirus – COVID-19 infection

Positivity across all samples tested is consistently at low levels.

83 new admissions were recorded. The average weekly number of new admissions over the past four weeks was 106.

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

The number of patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized and intubated was seven.

Five new deaths were recorded. The average weekly number of deaths over the past four weeks was six.

From the start of 2024 to 30 March, the number of recorded deaths in major incidents (intubated and/or with ICU admission) is 390.

Flu virus

After a significant drop last week, community influenza positivity (as estimated by the Sentinel PHC surveillance network) is showing a slight increase. Positivity of SARI surveillance network samples remains low, showing a slight increase from the previous week.

Two new severe cases with ICU hospitalization and four new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded in the last week. In addition, one severe case of laboratory-confirmed influenza with ICU hospitalization related to the previous week was reported retrospectively.

In total, since the beginning of influenza surveillance through March 30, 179 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases with ICU hospitalization and 68 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza have been recorded.

Among 3,876 specimens (originating from sentinel community, SARI surveillance, and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 812 (21%) positive specimens for influenza viruses were detected. Of these, 799 were typed, with 514 (64%) belonging to type A and 285 (36%) to type B.

Of the 486 type A strains subtyped, 246 (51%) belonged to subtype A(H1)pdm09 and 240 (49%) to subtype A(H3).

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

RSV activity remains relatively mild. Positivity in the community (Sentinel PHC surveillance network) showed a slight decrease, while the SARI surveillance network showed a slight increase.