The weekly retrospective gives a summary of trends in acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and influenza (influenza virus) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Trends of the week:
COVID-19 Decrease of all indicators, hinting to a reduced circulation.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) The RSV virus begins to circulate, but at a low level.
Influenza Very few cases of flu have been detected, with circulation at a low level.
COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2
From 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 dropped to 220 cases, compared to 350 cases the previous week (-37%). The positivity rate fell to 21% compared with 23% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater confirms the decline in circulation of the virus [1].
These 3 clinical indicators suggest that a peak in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has recently been reached.
Recent sequencing data showed a preponderance of the EG.5.1 variant (38.7%) [2].
Influenza
For the week of 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of influenza cases reported by laboratories rose to 5, compared with 1 case the previous week.
This data largely overlaps with LNS sentinel surveillance, which indicates increased circulation of rhinoviruses and SARS-CoV-2, but little circulation of influenza viruses.[2]
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
For week 42 (16 to 22 October 2023), the number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-positive individuals detected by the CHL laboratory rose to 9 cases, compared with 7 the previous week, an increase of 29%.
Although circulation of the RSV virus has just begun, it is still at a low level.
Press release by the Ministry of Health