SPKC has information about 15 dead this season who have been laboratory-confirmed to have contracted influenza. All the dead had several side ailments and none of them had been vaccinated against flu this season.
Last week, a total of 1,019 patients approached general practitioners with acute symptoms of upper respiratory infection, 375 of whom were diagnosed with “influenza” based on a typical clinical picture (346 patients a week earlier, 319 patients two weeks earlier).
The most cases were recorded in Ventspils (961.0 cases per 100,000 population), Liepāja (652.0 per 100,000), Rīga (617.2 per 100,000), Jēkabpils District (605.6 per 100,000), Jelgava (558.5 per 100,000), Daugavpils (390.8 per 100,000), Rēzekne (288.1 per 100,000), Valmiera District (212.9 per 100,000) and Jūrmala (149.1 per 100,000).
Influenza cases have been recorded in all age groups, however, the highest influenza intensity has been recorded in the age group 0-4 years.
However, the number of Covid-19 cases in Latvia has decreased. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases has remained at the same level during the week as a week ago – 51 cases of Covid-19 (a week previously 52). A total of 650 (previously 743) laboratory tests have been conducted for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The number of inpatient COVID-19 patients was 75 last week (a week earlier, 79, two weeks earlier, 97).
The SPKC reiterated that vaccination was the most effective way to protect against serious cases of influenza and Covid-19. Specialists urge individuals of health risk groups to take advantage of the state-provided vaccination option, as well as highly recommended vaccinations for those who are scheduled to undergo elective surgery or any other medical manipulation in medical treatment facilities.
