To reduce positive cases coronavirus in the country, compared to the previous week, says the EODY.
The organization published on Thursday, October 24, the new weekly epidemiological reportunique to the 3 respiratory viruses, i.e. SARS-CoV-2, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for the period from October 14th to 20th (42nd week) 2024.
In summary, it is the following:
Influenza-like illness – ILI (regardless of pathogen)
The number of flu cases per 1,000 visits is low.
Severe Acute Respiratory Infection – SARI (regardless of the pathogen)
✓ The number of SARI cases per 1,000 visits is low.
SARS-CoV2 virus – Covid-19 infection
✓ The positivity in all tested samples showed a decrease compared to the previous week.
✓ 580 new imports were registered, showing a drop compared to the previous week. The average weekly number of new admissions over the last 4 weeks was 626.
✓ The number of new intubations was six. The average weekly number of new intubations during the previous 4 weeks was seven.
✓ The number of patients with Covid-19 infection hospitalized with intubation is 23.
✓ The number of deaths was 19. The average weekly number of deaths over the previous 4 weeks was 26.
✓ As of 27/09, the KP.3 subvariant of BA.2.86 has been recognized by ECDC as a strain of interest, while the XEC subvariant of BA.2.86 has also been placed under surveillance. In recent weeks, the predominant strain has been KP.3, while in week 33/2024 the first XEC strains were detected in the country. These strains have not been associated with an increased risk of severe disease.
✓ At a national level, the weighted viral load in municipal wastewater is at moderate levels compared to historical data, without showing appreciable changes compared to the previous week. In one of the ten regions viral load levels appear high, in four moderate and in the remaining five low
(generally showing a drop from the previous week).
Vulnerable population groups (elderly people and people with underlying illnesses) are advised to scrupulously follow preventive measures against respiratory infections and to seek medical advice in time for symptoms in order to provide timely treatment.
At the same time, it is recommended that the general population, in the presence of symptoms of respiratory infection, limit contacts with people belonging to vulnerable groups.
Flu virus
✓ Influenza positivity assessed by surveillance networks in the community (CSP Sentinel surveillance network) and in the hospital environment (SARS surveillance network) is at very low levels, with detection of only sporadic positive samples.
✓ No new serious cases with admission to the ICU, nor deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza were recorded.
✓ From week 40/2024 to week 42/2024, among 285 samples (originating in the Sentinel community, SARI surveillance and hospitals outside the surveillance networks) one positive sample was found for influenza virus, A(H3).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus – RSV
✓ No positive samples were found in the community (CSP Sentinel surveillance network) or in hospitals (SARS surveillance network).
Note: Items may be modified by incorporating retrospectively declared data.