Covid hospitalizations decrease and the flu remains stable, but the circulation of RSV increases

2023-11-10 19:23:40

The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) has reported an increase in the circulation of respiratory syncytal virus (RSV) in the community, with a more pronounced increase in RSV positivity in hospitalized children; However, flu activity remains stable and downward fluctuations have been recorded in hospitalization due to Covid-19.

This is reflected in the latest report on acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in Spain, from the ISCIII, which, on this occasion, includes data for the week from October 30 to November 5.

In Primary Care, the overall rate in this period stands at 422.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (458.6 cases/100,000 h. in the previous week). The percentage of positivity to SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV is 13.2 percent, 0.8 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

By age groups, the highest rates of ARIs in Primary Care occur in the group of children under 1 year of age (2985.5 cases/100,000 h), followed by the group of 1-4 years of age (2050.3 cases/100,000 h). 100,000 hours). By sex, the incidence rates are higher in women than in men (464.3 vs 379.6 cases/100,000 h).

At this level of care, since the beginning of the season, 2,836 ARI samples have been analyzed for the diagnosis of influenza, 2,867 for SARS-CoV-2 and 2,722 for RSV. Of them, 55 (1.9%) have been positive for influenza, 382 (13.3%) for SARS-CoV-2 and 23 (0.8%) for RSV, respectively.

Among the 55 influenza viruses identified, 52 are type A (96.3%), of which 18 are A(H3) and 25 A(H1)pdm09 (41.9% and 58.1%, among the subtypes ) and 9 A not subtyped (16.7%).

Regarding severe acute respiratory infection in hospitals (SARI), the global rate in week 44/2023 stands at 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (9.5 cases/100,000 h in the previous week). The percentage of positivity to SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV is 13.9%, 1.7% and 8.2%, respectively.

By age groups, the highest hospitalization rates this week are observed in those under 1 year of age (74.3 cases/100,000 h), followed by the group of those over 79 years of age (64 cases/100,000 h). By sex, the incidence is 11.8 and 8.3 cases/100,000 h in men and women, respectively.

In hospitals, since the beginning of the season, 868 SARI samples have been analyzed for the diagnosis of influenza, 941 for SARS-CoV-2 and 842 for RSV. Of them, 16 (1.8%) have been positive for influenza, 199 (21.2%) for SARS-CoV-2 and 28 (3.3%) for RSV, respectively.

Among the 16 influenza viruses identified, 13 are type A, of which 4 are A(H3) and 5 A(H1)pdm09 (44.4% and 55.6%, among the subtypes) and 4 A non-subtyped (30.8%).