57 deaths in Greece from Covid, increase in intubations, decrease in vaccinations

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Intubations of patients with covid-19 increased during the week of November 30-50, according to the epidemiological report of the EODY on viral infections of the respiratory system (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus – RSV).

SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection: The positivity in all tested samples showed a decrease compared to the previous week. The number of admissions (n=781) showed a 22% decrease compared to the average weekly number of admissions in the previous 4 weeks and was lower than the number of admissions in the corresponding week of 2022. The number of new intubations (n=24) showed an increase compared to the average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks (n=21) and was lower than the number of intubations in the corresponding week of 2022. The number of patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized with intubation is 41.

There were 57 deaths with a median age of 87 years (range 63-96 years). The number of deaths showed a small decrease compared to the average weekly number of deaths in the previous 4 weeks (n=59) and was lower than the number of deaths in the corresponding week in 2022.

In the last week the most frequent BA.2 sub-variant was XBB.1.5 (49%), followed by EG.5 (23%) and XBB.1.16 (16%). A total of 116 positive samples of the BA.2.86 sub-variant have been recorded in Greece, with sampling dates from 05 September to 20 October.

Viral load surveillance in municipal wastewater showed an increase in SARSCoV-2 virus circulation in 1 of 9 areas tested.

Influenza virus: Influenza positivity in the community remains below 10%* (sentinel). No new serious case with ICU hospitalization was recorded, nor was there a new death from laboratory-confirmed influenza. In total, since the beginning of October, 3 people with laboratory-confirmed influenza were hospitalized in the ICU and 2 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.

Influenza episodes (regardless of pathogen): Influenza episodes per 1,000 visits are low

Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV: No positive samples were found in the community.

Warnings from the Panhellenic Medical Association

The Panhellenic Medical Association reminds all citizens of the need for timely, within November, anti-influenza vaccination, given that from mid-December to March there is an increase in influenza cases in our country.

Citizens over the age of 60, health workers, those who look after young children and the elderly, those living in closed structures, the immunosuppressed and the chronically and seriously ill should be vaccinated against influenza, while it is useful to discuss with their doctor the possibility of vaccination, all citizens without exception.

The PIS emphasizes the need for the citizen to have discussed with his doctor the need for any medical procedure, such as vaccination, in order to give the doctor the opportunity to inform about the possible particularities presented by each organism (active infection, certain autoimmune diseases etc.) but also to promote the need for vaccination of all citizens. PIS sounds the alarm that the 13,000 vaccinations per day against SARS-CoV-2 are too few!

Doctors must inform their patients who were sick or vaccinated against the coronavirus 6 months ago, that they are currently completely uninsured. The implementation of the updated vaccine for the latest mutations of SARS-CoV-2 is mandatory according to the recommendation of the National Vaccination Committee for everyone over 60 years of age, health workers, but also for any other citizen who wishes to be protected.

Any citizen who has doubts or questions about the updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine can contact their doctor for clarification.