Increase in Catalan flu, COVID-19 and bronchiolitis cases heralds start of winter wave

Cases of influenza, covid-19 and the virus that causes bronchiolitis in children (RSV) have increased in Catalonia over the last week. According to the Surveillance Information System for Infections (SIVIC), although transmission levels remain low, rising trends in these three viruses, especially influenza and RSV, with higher incidence in people under 45 years of age, portend a pandemic. The beginning of the wave. Autumn and winter.

Covid-19 vaccination coverage for people over 80 years old is 48%, and influenza vaccination coverage for people aged 70-79 is slightly higher, at 55% and 40% respectively. There were 3,501 confirmed cases of covid-19 in primary care in the week of November 13-19, compared with 2,909 the week before. The number of cases detected remains lower than at any other season during this time of year. The hospital admitted 342 patients with COVID-19, an increase of 28 from the previous week, and there were 10 people in the intensive care unit, an increase of 4 from the previous week.

The number of influenza cases diagnosed in primary care is slightly higher than last season, at 3,144 (compared to 2,354 in the same week last year). Regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 680 cases have been diagnosed in primary care settings, including 330 in children under 1 year old and 245 in children aged 12 to 24 months. The last bronchiolitis season was difficult and unusual, with 1,610 cases diagnosed for this time of year.

They from the health department remember that vaccination is the best way for all high-risk groups to protect themselves against these seasonal viruses, typical of autumn and winter viruses. These groups include people over 60, pregnant women or people with chronic health conditions and other risk conditions, as well as health and social care professionals and key essential service workers. Vaccination appointments can be made throughout Catalonia through La meva salut, citasalut.cat or CAP.

For the first time, an immunization campaign has been launched targeting infants under 6 months of age to protect them from RSV infection. This is also the first year children aged six to five years and smokers can get vaccinated during the flu campaign.