COVID-19 continues to decline – but other respiratory diseases remain at a moderate level – Public Health Agency

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 each week has decreased recently, and the spread of infection is now considered to be at a relatively low level. Week 4 statistics also show that the number of new ICU patients with COVID-19, inpatient care occupancy and the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths continue to decline. The Omikron BA.2.86 variant dominates the spread of infection, with JN.1 being the most common subgroup.

During the fourth week, the prevalence of influenza in the community was at a moderate level. After peaking at the end of December, the number of confirmed influenza cases and the number of influenza patients newly admitted to intensive care have declined. The number of deaths from influenza has also declined somewhat since its peak.

The spread of the RS virus is at a moderate level. Fall rates among children under five are increasing for the second week in a row, and are now at the same level as at the same time last season. Cases are increasing mainly among children under one year of age.

The number of winter illness cases is higher than the same period last year

The number of reported cases of winter vomiting disease, caused by calicivirus, continues to increase, and the number of cases in recent weeks is higher than in the corresponding period of last season. It looks like the increase in season will come two weeks earlier than last year.

̶ This is the period of the year when there is a high prevalence of various viruses and other infectious agents. After the start of school and the return to the workplace in January, the spread of infection often increases, and we are currently seeing an increase in the number of cases of winter sickness and RS among young children, says Magnus Gislin, state epidemiologist.

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