The report from the Directorate General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health on acute respiratory infections, covering the week ending October 18th, indicates that influenza activity in the community is maintaining its baseline level with an upward trend. However, a decrease in the sale of flu medications in Galician pharmacies has been observed.
The dispensing rate of flu medications in pharmacies decreased by 19% in the last week, while the rate of antigen tests reduced by 21.9%. These figures come from pharmacies integrated into the sentinel network promoted by the Xunta, aimed at anticipating the evolution of respiratory viruses in the community.
According to the report from the Galician health department, the consultation rate for flu increased by 10.2% compared to the previous week, standing at 13.2 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. The increase in flu consultation rates occurred in the age groups of 5 to 19 years, 20 to 59, and 60 to 79 years. The highest rates are now observed in the 5 to 19 age group. The health area of Lugo recorded the highest consultation rate.
Regarding COVID-19, the consultation rate decreased by 22.4%, dropping from 27.7 to 21.5 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. This decrease was observed across all age groups, with the over-80s group showing the highest number of consultations at 38.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The COVID-19 consultation rate declined in all health areas except for Pontevedra and O Salnés. The area with the highest rate was Ourense with 30.1 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants.
In terms of flu hospitalizations, 89 individuals were reported (all with type A virus) up to the week ending October 18th. The hospitalization rate was 1.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, slightly higher than the previous week. The age group with the highest hospitalization rate was those over 80 years old (9.4 per 100,000 inhabitants), and the health area of Lugo, A Mariña, and Monforte de Lemos recorded the highest rate (8 per 100,000 inhabitants).
The COVID-19 hospitalization rate decreased from 5.9 to 5.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, remaining stable across all age groups. The over-80s group had the highest hospitalization rate (31 per 100,000 inhabitants). COVID-19 hospitalization rates only increased in the areas of A Coruña and Cee; Lugo, A Mariña, and Monforte de Lemos; and Pontevedra and O Salnés. The areas with the highest rates were Lugo (7.7) and Ourense (7.5) per 100,000 inhabitants.
The positivity rate for the COVID-19 virus stood at 17.6%, a decrease from the previous week (20.3%). The Xunta began its vaccination campaign in nursing homes and disability centers on September 28th, and continues with childhood immunization in health centers and 75 pilot program schools, as well as for healthcare personnel since October 13th. This past week also saw the start of vaccination for individuals aged 70 and over and for emergency health service personnel.
