Positivity for SARS-CoV-2 in the community remains stable, while flu activity is at low levels, according to the epidemiological report of EODY (National Public Health Organization) for the week 17–23 November.

More specifically, the EODY report states the following:

Influenza-like illness (ILI) – regardless of pathogen

The number of ILI cases per 1,000 visits remains at low levels. A slight increase was recorded compared to the previous week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of pathogen)

The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits is at low levels, showing a slight decrease compared to the previous week.

SARS-CoV-2 – COVID-19 infection

Positivity from all SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests nationwide remained at the same levels as the previous week.

In the past week, 138 new COVID-19 hospital admissions were recorded, showing a decrease compared to the previous week (N=162). Since the beginning of summer, sporadic cases of intubations and deaths have been recorded. In the last week, two new intubations were recorded, as well as 12 new deaths.

Since the end of spring, co-circulation of the LP.8.1, NB.1.8.1 and XFG variants has been observed, with a gradual increasing trend of XFG, which is currently the dominant strain detected.

At national level, the weighted viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewater remains at moderate levels compared to historical data, showing a decrease compared to the previous week.

Influenza virus

Flu positivity in the community (as estimated by the Sentinel Primary Health Care surveillance network) remains at low levels (below the epidemic threshold of 10%). In secondary healthcare (as estimated by the SARI surveillance network), activity is also at very low levels.

During the past week, two new severe cases requiring ICU hospitalization were recorded, while no new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were reported.

Overall, over the last 7 weeks, among 1,064 samples (from community Sentinel, SARI surveillance and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 23 samples tested positive for influenza A viruses. Of the 21 influenza A strains subtyped, 14 belonged to subtype A(H1)pdm09 and seven to subtype A(H3). Six of the seven A(H3) strains were phylogenetically analysed after full genome sequencing, and in three of them the K subclade of A(H3) was detected.

According to an initial risk assessment for the epidemiological situation of influenza in Europe, issued by the ECDC on 20 November 2025, approximately half of the detected A(H3) strains in EU/EEA countries correspond to the K subclade. The risk for the general population during circulation of the A(H3) K subclade this season is considered moderate by the ECDC, while it is considered high for high-risk population groups.

Vaccination remains the best preventive measure. EODY remains on alert monitoring the situation and strongly recommends flu vaccination for high-risk groups, as well as adherence to respiratory infection prevention measures.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus – RSV

No positive samples were found either in the community (Primary Care Sentinel surveillance network) or in hospitals participating in the SARI surveillance network.