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.

The number of those people who sought medical attention due to acute upper respiratory tract infections remains at a stable level. The number of new influenza cases dropped by 12%, while the number of new COVID-19 cases has remained at the same level with a slight growing trend.

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’), 69.7% of those samples which were analysed were found to be positive for influenza-type viruses. Influenza A forms 15.2% of all cases. Influenza B, SARS-CoV-2, and the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) each form 3% of all Sentinel samples to be analysed, while RSV forms 9.1%. The number of new rhinovirus cases amongst children increased over the week. Rhinoviruses can be characterised by sneezing, a runny nose and, occasionally, also throat pain. Children may also experience a cough and fever.

Based on information which had been logged during the Sentinel targeted survey, infections are currently spreading at a moderate rate, with the spread of the influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses remaining extensive.  

According to the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre, fifteen patients were hospitalised in week six due to influenza. As many as forty-three people overall have been hospitalised within the last two weeks. Since the beginning of the season a total of 951 patients have been hospitalised due to influenza. As many as 70% of those individuals have been over the age of fifty.

The overview of serious influenza cases (those which require intensive care hospitalisations and which can result in fatalities) is based on information which has been reported by Tartu University Hospital, the North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation, West Tallinn Central Hospital, Ida-Viru Central Hospital, the hospitals of Narva, Pärnu, Viljandi, Rakvere, and Valga, and the South Estonian Hospital. Based on details which come from those hospitals, forty-one people in total who are aged between 13-91 have required intensive care due to influenza.

As many as sixteen people have died this season due to influenza. Those individuals were aged between 13-91 and all of them were included in risk groups. One of those individuals had previously been healthy, while the rest of the deceased were included in risk groups due to their age or to serious chronic diseases.

In total, 1,221 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed over the week. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 122 people were in hospital due to COVID-19, of which forty-seven required treatment due to the presence of symptomatic COVID-19. This week saw seven deaths being added to the overall total, involving individuals between the ages of 66 and 83. All of those individuals had serious underlying illnesses.

Based on sequencing data, fully all of those cases were caused by the Omicron strain of COVID-19. The BA.5 Omicron subvariant and the successors of this variant form 77.5% of all sequenced samples, with 22.3% formed by the XBB recombinants of BA.2 and its successors. One of the samples proved positive for XBB.1.5.

On the basis of an extraordinary decision which has been made by the Health Insurance Board, as of 6 February everyone is eligible to receive a free anti-influenza vaccination until the vaccine stocks run out. Vaccination is something which should seriously be considered by any individuals who are included in risk groups, along with those individuals who come into contact with them.

The expert committee on immunoprophylaxis advises everyone over the age of eighty to get the third booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine. A vaccine which has been adjusted to the BA.4-5 Omicron subvariant should be the preferred choice. Any individuals over the age of eighteen who are included in a COVID-19 risk group have also been advised to get themselves revaccinated with the same vaccine, if this is deemed necessary by their physician.