Corona virus: Six deaths and six intubated in one week

The available epidemiological data of the systems are included in the weekly report of EODY surveillance of the relevant organization on viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV) in our country for the week 16/2024 (15 April 2024 – 21 April 2024).

In particular, in the last week, six deaths from coronavirus were recorded, while six people remain intubated.

In summary week 16/2024:

Influenza syndromes (regardless of pathogen)

The number of cases of influenza 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.

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection

The positivity in all tested samples showed a slight increase compared to the previous week.
The number of new imports was 81. The average weekly number of imports in the previous 4 weeks was 82 and the number of imports in the corresponding week in 2023 was 813.
The number of new intubations was 2. The average weekly number of new intubations over the previous 4 weeks was 1, and the number of intubations in the corresponding week of 2023 was 17.
The number of intubated patients with COVID-19 infection is 6.
There were 6 deaths with a median age of 88.5 years (range 81-93 years). The number of deaths is the same as the average weekly number of deaths in the previous 4 weeks (n=6) and was lower than the number of deaths in the corresponding week in 2023 (n=47).
The most common sub-variant of BA.2 remains JN.1 (>85% from week 6 onwards).
Viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed a drop in SARS-CoV-2 circulation in 4 out of 7
areas checked, increase to 2, and stabilize to 1.

Influenza virus

Influenza positivity in the community (sentinel network) is still above 10% (seasonal onset threshold
of influenza epidemic activity according to ECDC), without a significant change compared to the previous one
week, and maintained at high levels for the season (with prevalence of influenza type B). The positivity of
SARI samples remained at the same levels as last week and remains low.
One new serious case with hospitalization in ICU was recorded, while no new death from laboratory tests was recorded
confirmed flu.
From week 40/2023 to week 16/2024, 141 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza
in ICUs and 68 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.
From week 40/2023 to week 16/2024, 933 influenza strains have been standardized (originating from
community sentinel samples, from SARI surveillance samples and from hospital samples outside surveillance networks),
of which 547 (59%) were type A and 386 (41%) type B. From week 10 onwards the predominant type is
B both in the community (Sentinel PHY surveillance network) and in hospitals (SARI surveillance network).
In total, 529 type A strains have been subtyped at the two Influenza Reference Centers. 487 (92%) belonged to
subtype A(H1)pdm09 and 42 (8%) in subtype A(H3)