EODY: Coronavirus Spread Increases – XEC Subvariant Dominates

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The spread of the coronavirus in Greece is showing a mild upward trend, with a slight increase observed in viral loads on the island of Crete. However, key indicators remain at low levels overall. Influenza activity has receded to sporadic levels, and RSV also shows signs of decline, while serious cases requiring hospitalization or intubation remain limited.

At the same time, XEC, the new subvariant of the coronavirus, continues its slow but steady rise. First detected in week 33 of 2024, it has followed an upward trajectory and since early December has become the dominant strain in genomic detections.

Viral load in urban wastewater remains low nationally, according to historical data. However, a mild upward trend has been recorded locally in Crete, particularly in Heraklion and Chania. These trends are not alarming but are being closely monitored by health authorities.

In detail:
– **ILI (Influenza-Like Illness):** Cases have remained at baseline levels per 1,000 visits after week 20/2025, with small weekly fluctuations. Week 26/2025 showed a decrease compared to the previous week.
– **SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection):** Cases remain at low levels similar to those of the same period in previous years, with minor weekly variations. Week 26/2025 maintained similar levels as the prior week.
– **SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19:** The positivity rate from all SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests nationwide remains low but has shown a slight upward trend in recent weeks. New hospitalizations are significantly lower compared to the same period last year, with 107 new admissions recorded during week 26/2025. No new intubations were reported during week 26, with an average of one new intubation per week over the previous four weeks. One death was recorded during week 26, with an average of two deaths per week in the previous four weeks. From week 01/2024 to week 26/2025, 401 deaths among severe cases (intubated and/or ICU hospitalized) have been recorded.
– **XEC Subvariant:** It has shown an increasing trend since its first detection in week 33/2024 and became the dominant strain by early December 2024.
– **Influenza Virus:** Community flu positivity remains low, with only sporadic positive samples now being detected. No positive samples were recorded during week 26/2025 from the hospital surveillance network involved in SARI monitoring. No new ICU admissions or deaths due to laboratory-confirmed flu were reported during week 26. From week 21/2025 onward, one ICU case and three deaths from lab-confirmed flu were recorded. Overall, from week 40/2024 to week 26/2025, 192 confirmed ICU flu cases and 85 deaths have been documented.
– **RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus):** After week 20/2025, RSV activity has remained consistently very low both in the community and in hospitals, with only sporadic positive samples identified.

Both influenza and COVID-19 are associated with a significant number of deaths among severe cases, with COVID-19 surpassing flu in mortality impact. Individuals eligible for vaccination, especially those at higher risk of severe outcomes (elderly and people with underlying conditions), are advised to get vaccinated against both diseases.