In total, 233 new influenza cases and 2,719 COVID-19 cases were added this week

In week 48, a grand total of 5,165 people fell ill with acute respiratory infections. Overall, 41% of all of the new cases involved children. A total of 233 new influenza cases were registered, of which forty-three were confirmed through laboratory testing. A total of 2,719 new COVID-19 cases were also added, of which 536 were confirmed through laboratory testing.

The number of new cases involving acute respiratory diseases increased by 32%, with the number of influenza cases increasing by 207%. Forty-three influenza cases, all of which were influenza A cases, were confirmed through laboratory testing. Since the beginning of the season, seventy-three influenza A viruses have been subtyped, including sixty-five A(H3) and eight A(H1) strains.

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 intensity of the spread of viruses is classed as being average, with influenza spreading widely. The majority of new cases involve children under the age of five, but the former increase in the virus spread amongst toddlers has now halted. The number of new cases increased amongst the elderly and schoolchildren, by 37.5% and 27.8% respectively.

Last week, influenza A cases formed 25% of all Sentinel samples which were analysed. RSV viruses formed 9% of the total, the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) 10%, adenovirus 7.8%, and the parainfluenza virus 6.4%. The percentage of other viruses (SARS-CoV-2 and rhinoviruses) out of the total amounted to 5.3%.

The number of influenza-related hospitalisations last week began to increase. According to initial data from the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre, fourteen patients were hospitalised. Since the beginning of the season a total of thirty patients have been hospitalised due to influenza, including eight children from the under-eight age group, plus ten people who were over the age of sixty.

The number of new registered COVID-19 cases has grown by 21.3%, with the spread of the virus increasing in almost all age groups. Changes in the ‘R’ infection multiplier indicate a growing trend. The number of outbreaks which were registered in social welfare institutions remained at the same level as last week. Based on sequencing data, the Omicron variant share amongst newly-registered cases is at 100%. Taking into consideration the characteristics of the variants of the virus which are currently spreading around Europe and elsewhere in the world, there is no reason to provide a forecast which suggests other variants possibly becoming prevalent in the near future.

As of Wednesday morning, a total of 248 people are in hospital due to COVID-19, of which eighty-three required treatment due to symptomatic COVID-19. The average number of new symptomatic patients who were hospitalised over the past seven days dropped to 8.7. This week also saw nine deaths being added to the overall total, involving individuals who were aged between 74-95. All of those individuals had serious underlying illnesses. Keeping in mind the increased number of new cases amongst the elderly, an increase may be expected in the number of hospitalisation cases over the next few weeks.

The spread of influenza and COVID-19 is showing an increasing trend for both. Keeping in mind the increased number of new cases amongst the elderly, an increase in the number hospitalisation cases may be expected across the next few weeks. The Health Board would like to remind everyone that influenza and COVID-19 are both serious illnesses, and vaccines are used as an important preventive measure in the case of both of them.

This is the last chance to receive a vaccination against influenza. Vaccination should especially be considered by the elderly and those people who suffer from chronic diseases. As of the middle of October, the influenza vaccine is readily available free of charge, for anyone who would normally receive general or special care services, plus anyone who is over the age of sixty, pregnant women, children up to the age of seven, and all minors who are included in any risk groups. Please visit your family physician or a pharmacist to receive your vaccination.

Further statistical data on the spread of influenza can be found here. The epidemiological COVID-19 overview can be found here (PDF).