EOPI: 22 dead and 26 intubated due to covid – 7 new serious cases of influenza in ICU

The positiveness of respiratory infections is increasing, according to the epidemiological report of the National Public Health Agency ( ) for the period from 30 December to 5 January, with seven people being treated in the ICU. EODY published today, Thursday (09.01. 25) the new weekly epidemiological report, single for the 3 respiratory viruses, i.e. SARS-CoV-2, flu and respiratory synchytate virus (RSV), for the period 30 December – 5 January (1st week 2025). CORVERSE Overall, 22 deaths due to covid-19 have occurred during this period, while 26 people are intubated. Influenza – ILI (irrespective of pathogen) The number of flu cases per 1,000 visits is rising, showing a significant increase compared to last week. ADVERSE Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (irrespective of pathogen) The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits showed an increase compared to last week. SARS-CoV2 virus – COVID-19 infection The positiveness of all samples tested showed an increase over the previous week. 538 new imports were recorded. The average weekly number of new imports over the past four weeks was 548 . The number of new intubations was eight . The average weekly number of new intubations over the previous four weeks was nine . The number of patients with COVID-19 infection who are intubated is 26. The number of deaths was 22 . The average weekly number of deaths over the past four weeks was 26 . The average weekly viral load in urban sewage is low in four of the six controlled areas, while in one it is moderate and in one high (with a observed rise compared to the previous week). Flu virus The positiveness for influenza in the community (as assessed by the Sentinel PF surveillance network) remains above the threshold indicating the onset of seasonal influenza activity (10%), not showing a change compared to the previous week. The positiveness of the SARI surveillance network samples shows a significant increase over the previous week. Seven new serious cases were recorded with ICU hospitalisation and a new death from laboratory confirmed flu. Overall, 31 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza with ICU hospitalisation and four deaths from laboratory confirmed influenza have been recorded since the influenza surveillance authority. The recorded deaths in serious cases with laboratory confirmed flu amount to 65 . Among 1,495 samples (sentinel community origin, SARI surveillance and hospitals outside surveillance networks), 116 (8%) positive samples for influenza viruses were found. 112 of them were standardized, with 106 belonging to the type A all six in type B. Of 101 type strains A substandardized, 33 (33%) belonged to subtype A(3) and 68 (67%) to subtype A(H1)pdm09. Respiratory sympathetic virus – RSV The positiveness in both the community (Sentinel PHY surveillance network), and hospitals (Sari surveillance network) is at very low levels. Both flu and COVID-19 infection are associated with a significant number of deaths among serious cases, with COVID-19 infection surpassing flu. It is recommended that people who qualify for vaccination, particularly those who are at higher risk of serious outcomes (aged and people with underlying diseases), be vaccinated for both diseases.