Flu epidemic declared in Latvia

RIGA - An influenza epidemic has started in Latvia, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) informed LETA.

Last week's monitoring of influenza, Covid-19 and other acute upper respiratory infections showed a slight decrease in the number of infected and hospitalized Covid-19 patients, whereas flu incidence continued to rise and has now reached the level of epidemic, which is why the CDC has declared a flu epidemic from January 12.

According to the monitoring data, the average influenza prevalence in Latvia increased over the past week, reaching the epidemic threshold, as shown by an increase in the proportion of positive flu tests to 10.3 percent and a clear upward trend in flu incidence.

Of the laboratory confirmed 21 flu cases recorded last week, 18 were cases of influenza A and three of influenza B.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 cases decreased somewhat, with 138 cases confirmed last week as compared to 251 laboratory confirmed cases a week before. The proportion of positive Covid-19 tests dropped to 17.8 percent from 26.3 percent, which still is above the EU/EEA average. The number of Covid-19 patients' hospitalizations dropped to 106 last week from 157 the week before and from 218 three weeks before. 

Seven patients were treated for severe Covid-19 and 17 Covid-19 patients died last week. Covid-19 had been the main diagnosis in at least eight of these cases.