Last week, between the 4th and 10th of December, data from flu and other acute upper respiratory infections showed an increase in the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients, as reported by Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SKPC).
The number of Covid-19 cases keeps increasing in Latvia. 339 Covid-19 infection cases were confirmed this week (329 last week). A total of 821 laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 virus were performed (962 the week prior). The number of hospitalised patients is up as well – 401 patients were hospitalised last week and 307 the week prior.
Last week there were 12 patients in hospitals suffering from severe form of infection. 29 deaths of Covid-19 patients were registered, which is by six more than the week prior. In at least six cases Covid-19 was the primary cause of death. SPKC notes that Covid-19 infection also worsens existing chronic diseases, which causes the need for hospitalisation.
At the same time, the spread of flu last week remained low with a slight growth curve.
Last week a total of 1 072 patients turned to family doctors with symptoms of upper respiratory infection. 15 of those patients were diagnosed with flu. Flu infection cases were registered in Ventspils, Daugavpils, Jekabpils and Riga.
Last week flu infection cases were found in all age groups. Infection intensity was the highest in the 5-14 age group.
Nine flu cases were confirmed in laboratory tests. Four were A-type group and five – B-type group.
In most EU/EEZ countries the spread of flu remained on a level similar to the same period of 2022. In EU/EEZ the proportion of Covid-19 positive tests was 19% (21% the week prior). The proportion of positive fly tests remained below 3%.
To reduce the risk of severe infection and death, vaccination for seasonal flu and Covid-19 is recommended to everyone, especially to people who are at risk of complications and severe form of infection. SPKC reports that nearly 100 000 people in Latvia have undergone vaccination for flu this season and nearly 27 000 have undergone vaccination for Covid-19.
SPKC reminds that Efluelda, Fluenz Tetra and Influvac Tetra are the vaccines available to risk patients at various medical institutions in Latvia that perform vaccination.
Covid-19 vaccines available in Latvia include Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5, Novavax vaccine Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 – both adapted to battle existing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. Vaccines are also effective against the new BA.2.86 of Pirola variant of Covid-19.
Also read: People in risk groups invited to vaccinate for flu and Covid-19
Follow us on Facebook and X!