Last week, the activity of influenza and other acute respiratory infections continued to increase, according to data from the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).
Clinically diagnosed influenza was confirmed in another 45 patients, meaning the average incidence was 64.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants — 41.7% more than the previous week.
The highest flu intensity was registered in Jelgava. Cases were also recorded in Valmiera municipality, Riga, Jūrmala, Rēzekne and Daugavpils.
The highest flu incidence was observed among children up to 14 years old, while the sharpest increase compared to the previous week was seen in the 15–64 age group.
In hospitals last week, 373 patients were tested for flu, and in 38 cases (10.2%) A-type influenza viruses were confirmed.
For pneumonia, 12 patients sought outpatient care during the week — an incidence of 17.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which is 60.9% lower than the previous week.
Meanwhile,
the proportion of positive Covid-19 tests reached 5.6%, slightly above the previous week’s figure of 4.8%.
A total of 30 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital last week. Altogether, 51 patients with confirmed Covid-19 infection were treated in hospitals during the week, and in 23.5% of cases Covid-19 was the primary diagnosis.
Two deaths were also recorded among patients with confirmed Covid-19 infection.
According to the SPKC, this autumn Europe is seeing an earlier start to influenza activity, driven by the spread of a new A-type influenza virus strain A(H3N2).
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), this season’s dominant A(H3N2) virus differs genetically from the A(H3N2) strain included in this season’s vaccine, and laboratory data show that vaccine-induced antibodies may recognise it less effectively.
However, the ECDC stresses that vaccines still provide significant protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death — the complications posing the greatest risk to seniors, patients with chronic conditions and pregnant women.
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