Significant growth continues to be recorded in flu in the community, in contrast to coronavirus which is at low levels, according to the EODC epidemiological report for the period February 10-16. Five severe influenza cases with hospitalization in intensive care units and two new deaths were recorded in the last week.

Regarding COVID-19, no new intubations were recorded, while 170 new admissions were made and 8 people lost their last breath.

Specifically, the report of the EODC states:

Influenza virus

Community influenza positivity (as estimated by the PHC Sentinel surveillance network) remains above the threshold that marks the seasonal period of influenza activity, showing a slight increase from last week.

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

Five new severe cases with ICU hospitalization and two new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded. In addition, two severe cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza with ICU hospitalization and one laboratory-confirmed death related to previous weeks were reported retrospectively. Since the start of influenza surveillance, 133 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases with ICU hospitalization and 39 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza have been recorded.

Among 2,479 specimens (originating from sentinel community, SARI surveillance, and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 413 (17%) positive specimens for influenza viruses were detected. Of these, 402 were typed, with 328 (82%) belonging to type A and 74 (18%) to type B.

Of the 315 type A strains subtyping, 193 (61%) belonged to subtype A(H1)pdm09 and 122 (39%) to subtype A(H3).

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

Positivity in all tested samples is at very low levels, with no significant change from the previous week. 170 new admissions were recorded. The average weekly number of new admissions over the previous four weeks was 306. No new intubations were recorded. The average weekly number of new intubations over the previous four weeks was eight. The number of patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized as intubated is 12.

Eight new deaths were recorded. The average weekly number of deaths over the previous four weeks was 19.

Influenza-like illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)

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

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV

Positivity showed an increase in both community (Sentinel PHC surveillance network) and SARI surveillance network, but remained low.