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In total, 1,283 new influenza cases and 3,125 COVID-19 cases were added this week

In week 50, a grand total of 7,089 people fell ill with acute respiratory infections. Overall, 35.8% of all of the new cases involved children. In total, 1,283 new influenza cases were registered. A total of 3,125 new COVID-19 cases were also added.

According to Olga Sadikova, chief specialist at the Health Board’s Influenza Centre, the influenza virus is currently spreading widely. ‘The number of new influenza cases increased by 33%. The number of hospitalised patients, however, grew by 58%,’ she pointed out. Based on information which had been logged during a targeted survey of acute upper respiratory tract infections (with this survey being known as ‘Sentinel Monitoring’), the spread of the virus increased in all age groups, with the highest upturn observed amongst the elderly. The number of new cases doubled in this age group.

Based on initial data, influenza A cases form 47.8% of all Sentinel samples to have been analysed. A total of 108 influenza A cases were identified last week, including ninety-seven cases of the A(H3) strain and eleven cases of the A(H1) strain of the influenza A virus. The (H3) influenza A strain is currently dominating in Estonia as well as elsewhere in Europe. Approximately 60% of all individuals who fell ill will influenza A were children while 32.4% were people of working age. The share of RS viruses amounts to 13.4%. The human metapneumovirus and rhinovirus equally form 7.7% of all cases each. The share of SARS-CoV-2 viruses is at 6%.

According to Sadikova, the number of new influenza cases increased the most in the southern region, while the spread of the virus remained stable in Valga County and Jõgeva County. ‘The spread of the virus increased by four times in Ida-Viru County, and doubled in Lääne-Viru County, Pärnu County, and Põlva County,’ she added. 

According to the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre, thirty-eight patients were hospitalised last week due to influenza; as many as eighty-four people have been hospitalised within the last two weeks. Since the beginning of the season, a total of 138 patients have been hospitalised due to influenza. Based on details which have been reported to the Health Board, three people this season who were over the age of eighty have died as a result of the side effects of influenza. Taking into consideration the increase in the spread of the virus amongst the elderly, the number of hospitalisations will continue to grow in the next few weeks.

In total, 3,125 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed over the week. The spread of the virus remains stable. The number of new cases has increased amongst toddlers and people who are over the age of fifty. No new welfare institution outbreaks were added. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 still remains extensive.

The need for COVID-19-related hospital treatment is showing a slow growing trend, but the increase in the need for intensive care and ventilation is not worrying. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 290 people are in hospital due to COVID-19, of which 103 required treatment due to the presence of symptomatic COVID-19.

Sadikova would like to remind everyone that influenza and COVID-19 are both serious diseases. ‘Small children, pregnant women, chronically ill individuals, and the elderly are at especially high risk,’ she explained, adding that even those individuals who exhibit only mild symptoms themselves may spread the virus to at-risk individuals, who may find themselves in a life-threatening condition in the case that they do fall ill. ‘Visiting at-risk individuals when you are ill should be avoided in the high season for virus spread,’ she said.

Memo for viral diseases:

  • If you are ill, stay at home
  • Only visit individuals who are included in any of the risk groups if you yourself are healthy *
  • If you are unsure, get tested
  • If you fall ill, get in touch with your family physician or call the family physician advisory line (1220)
  • If you are included in any of the risk groups, avoid crowded places or wear a mask in such places
  • Get vaccinated, if you have not yet done so
  • Observe general hygiene rules

* Risk groups include people over the age of sixty, chronically ill people, pregnant women, and small children.

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In total, 347 new influenza cases and 1,221 COVID-19 cases were added this week

In week six of the new year, a grand total of 3,642 people fell ill with acute respiratory infections. Overall, 41.8% of all of the new cases involved children. In total, 347 new influenza cases were registered. A total of 1,221 new COVID-19 cases were also added.