EODY: 1,818 patients with COVID-19 in regular beds

There is a further increase in respiratory viral infections (SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus - RSV), according to the epidemiological report of EODY for the period 25-31 December. In particular, covid-19 is highly prevalent in the community, with admissions recording an increase of 44% and higher than the same week in 2022. Intubations of patients with covid-19 also record an increase. In our country, a total of 179 strains of the JN.1 sub variant have been detected.

Influenza activity is also increasing significantly and 3 new deaths have been recorded in the last week.

SARS-CoV2 virus - COVID-19 infection: positivity in all tested samples showed a significant increase compared to the previous week.

The number of admissions (n=1,818) showed an increase of 44% over the average weekly number of admissions in the previous 4 weeks (n=1,259) and was higher than the number of admissions in the corresponding week in 2022 (n=1,519). The number of new intubations (n=31) showed an increase compared to the average weekly number of new intubations in the previous 4 weeks (n=24) and was lower than the number of intubations in the corresponding week in 2022 (n=60). The number of patients with COVID-19 infection hospitalized intubated is 70.

There were 57 deaths with a median age of 84 years (range 67-102 years). The number of deaths showed a 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 (n=154).

The most frequent sub-variant of BA.2 was EG.5 (40%) followed by BA.2.86 (38%) and XBB.1.5 (14%).

In our country, a total of 179 JN.1 strains (sub-variant of BA.2.86 which was identified as a sub-variant of epidemiological interest on 19/12) have been detected, with sample collection dates from 3/10 to 8/12. The additional public health risk from JN.1 is currently assessed internationally as low.

Surveillance of the viral load in urban wastewater showed an increase in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus in 6 of the 9 sites tested.

Influenza virus: Positivity for influenza in the community (sentinel network) remains above 10% (ECDC seasonal threshold for the onset of influenza epidemic activity) and shows an increasing trend.

There were 8 new severe cases with hospitalisation in intensive care units, while 3 new deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.

A total of 29 people with laboratory-confirmed influenza have been hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed influenza in ICUs since the start of influenza surveillance and 8 deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza have been recorded.

A total of 113 positive samples for influenza (9%) have been detected. 112 samples have been standardised in the two influenza reference centres: 110 type A and 2 type B. Of the 93 type A strains subtyping, 15 (16%) belonged to subtype A(H3) and 78 (84%) to subtype A(H1)pdm09.

Influenza cases (regardless of pathogen): the number of cases of influenza per 1,000 visits showed a significant increase compared to the previous week.

Respiratory syncytial virus - RSV: RSV positivity in sentinel PHC samples showed an increase compared to the previous week.