The number of patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection increased more than fivefold last week compared to the last week of August, but this trend was not accompanied by the emergence of severe forms of the disease and hospitalizations.
The Institute of Public Health (IJZ) told "Vijesti" that from September 1 to 7, 32 cases of COVID-19 were laboratory confirmed (5,13 patients per 100.000 inhabitants), while a week earlier, the infection was proven in six patients.
The largest number of cases, according to data from the Public Health Institute, is registered among children up to the age of nine, which can be linked to the beginning of the new school year and more intense social contacts among the youngest.
"Given that a significant proportion of those infected are not tested, the reported number of cases does not reflect the actual incidence of the disease in the population, and it is estimated that the number of infected people is significantly higher than registered. According to the information available so far, the increase in the number of infected people has not been accompanied by an increase in the occurrence of severe forms of the disease and hospitalizations. The majority of those infected with COVID-19 have milder clinical manifestations of the disease. However, in people over 65 years of age, as well as in chronic patients of all ages, the disease can still lead to more severe complications and even death," the IJZ announced.
Based on experience from previous years, this institution claims that the increase in coronavirus activity during this period was expected, although this year's increase in cases is being registered a few weeks later than the same period in 2023 and 2024.
The Public Health Institute also said that a total of 125 cases of coronavirus have been laboratory-confirmed since the beginning of this year. More than half of the infected (65) were registered in the age group of 20 to 64, followed by those over 65, while the fewest officially infected were among children aged five to nine.
When it comes to symptoms, citizens are complaining of a sore throat, fever, fatigue, and runny nose, which are similar symptoms of COVID-19 infection in the previous period.
This year, two deaths related to COVID-19 infection have been registered, while last year 11 patients died, and in 2023 51.
The Public Health Institute reminded that practicing general prevention measures is of great importance for the prevention of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
This includes wearing protective masks for the nose and mouth (especially in healthcare institutions and closed spaces and if the person has symptoms of a respiratory infection), regularly ventilating the rooms, avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms of a respiratory infection - avoiding staying in closed spaces where there are a large number of people and attending mass gatherings, washing hands regularly and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands.
"Vaccination is the most effective measure of protection against more severe forms of viral respiratory diseases for which vaccines are available. More information about the start of seasonal influenza vaccination for the 2025/2026 season will be available in October," the Public Health Institute explained.
According to the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), after a winter period marked by limited circulation of the coronavirus, there has been an increase in indicators indicating increased circulation of Covid. However, the total number of hospitalisations, admissions to intensive care units and deaths related to the coronavirus in Europe remains lower than in the same period in 2024.
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