While Greeks are in panic after 3 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, the seasonal flu continues to claim a rising death toll. Seventeen people died during the last week, increasing the number of dead to 77, since the beginning of the flu season in last October.
According to the weekly bulletin published by the National Health Organization (EODDY), 17 people died in the week Febriaru 17-23, 2020, while 66 people (35%) were tested positive out of 186 people in total.
44 (66.7%) were tested positive in influenza type A, and 22 (33.3%) in type B.
30 (73.2%) were found to be infected with subtype A – H3NA – and and 11 (26.8%) with subtype A -H1N1 -.
227 serious cases have been recorded since October 2019. Of these, 206 were hospitalized in Intensive Care Units.
59 of the dead patients were previously in ICUs and 18 were not.
Since the beginning of October, 2287 samples have been screened: 746 (32.6%) were influenza positive. 618 (82.8%) of them infected with Type A and 128 (17.2%) with Type B.
Based on the above, EODY reports that we remain in a period of increased activity of influenza in Greece, with the sub-type A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) to predominate.
EODDY emphasizes the importance of anti-influenza vaccination as the best way of preventing flu.
