Cases of Covid-19 have rebounded after Christmas as fewer flu cases are reported in the Spanish Community of Valencia
Reported cases of Covid-19 have risen again in the Valencian Community after the Christmas family and friends gatherings while flu infections have plummeted. This is reflected in the latest bulletin of the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) of the Ministry of Health, which keeps track of Covid-19, influenza, and syncytial virus (RSV), responsible for bronchiolitis.
According to the data, in the first week after the holidays, Covid-19 infections rebounded to 142 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while cases of flu fell. In the second week of 2023, the system registered a rate of 54.9 flu cases per 100,000 inhabitants, almost a third of covid cases. Thus, of the total samples analysed by the sentinel system, the highest positivity rates were for SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, and VRS, and, lastly, for influenza.
Although the cases of covid-19 have risen, the incidence of the new disease remains far from the peak that was marked in December when it reached 250 cases.
It will be necessary to observe the evolution of the two infections in the coming weeks. However, pre-pandemic flu cases in the second week of January (after the return of the children to classes) were when flu was prevalent.
The circulation of the three viruses is, for now, contained with respect to what was happening in December. This does not mean however that this confluence of infections is not having an effect in health centers ( where getting an appointment now with little waiting time is practically impossible ) and, especially in hospitals, where they are noticing the increase in pressure at emergency rooms.
The volume of people who have to be admitted to hospitals continues to rise. This is mainly due to complications from seasonal winter-born respiratory infections they suffer from, be it covid, flu, or bronchitis.
The incidence is 29 serious cases per 100,000 inhabitants, one point more than the previous week in which a significant rise was recorded. And, according to the health bulletin, the vast majority of those who end up in the hospital are over 80 years of age.
Among this age group, the rate of serious cases requiring hospitalisation skyrockets: 212 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the group of people between 65 and 79 years of age is not far behind. Hospital admissions among children have plummeted after complications with bronchiolitis were dealt with in November and December.
People taking the fourth dose of Covid-19 were not at the expected levels either, the data shows that only half of those over 60 years of age have received it. The Ministry of Health has urged the 24 health departments in the region to take action to increase coverage. In response, some health centres have opted to open vaccination points without an appointment.
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