In the past week, the diagnoses of COVID-19 and flu (Influenza A) infections have continued to surge in the Canary Islands, reaching a total of 5,566 cases, constituting 19.7% of respiratory infections, trailing slightly behind the common cold.
According to the sentinel surveillance network for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), the incidence in Primary Care during week 51 of the year (December 18th to 24th) was 1,296 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the previous week's 1,158 cases.
The incidence has shown an increase across all age groups, with a higher number of cases in patients aged 0 to 5 years (4,794 cases per 100,000) and 5 to 14 years (1,877), followed by those over 79 years old (1,355 cases), compared to 1,092 cases in the previous week.
In the surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in hospitals, the rate stands at 16 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with individuals over 79 years old showing a higher rate of hospitalisation compared to the previous week.
The health authorities are closely monitoring the situation as respiratory infections continue to rise, urging the public to adhere to preventive measures and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms arise.
The data emphasises the importance of heightened vigilance and coordinated efforts to manage the increasing impact of respiratory illnesses which are putting extreme pressure on hospitals in the region.
