New cases of SARS-CoV-2 dropped over the week of March 13-19 while those of influenza (flu) rose, according to the weekly report by the National Public Health Organization (EODY).

Hospital admissions for coronavirus also dropped last week by 23% compared to the average weekly for admissions during the last 4 weeks. In addition, the number of new intubations in March 13-19 also dropped compared to the previous week, and a 36% drop compared to the average of new intubations the last 4 weeks.

At present, 71 people are intubated with Covid-19 in Greek hospitals, while another 75 died during the March 13-19 week.  The median age of those who died was 84 (age range: 55-100). 

Weekly sampling of virus loads in urban waste in Greece showed a drop in SARS-CoV-2 in 8 of 10 regions checked.

In terms of the flu, there was no case requiring admission to intensive care units (ICUs), or any new death reported, during the week of March 13-19. A total of 65 people with flu have been hospitalized in ICUs since the start of the flu season and 22 people have died. A total of 90% of infections relate to type A, and of these the most common were subtype A (H3N2).

A drop was registered in flu-like illnesses across all age groups this past week, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remained at the same low levels as the week prior.