Continued Increase in COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 continues to spread among the Spanish population, already accumulating seven consecutive weeks on the rise. In the last week, the estimated incidence rate has risen from 85.4 to 107.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Although most cases are still mild, there has also been an increase in hospitals. The estimated rate of hospital admissions has exceeded that of June 2021, the second year of the pandemic.
Data from the SiVIRA Report
According to the latest report of the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), published with data for the week from June 3 to 9, COVID-19 positivity in hospitals increased eight percentage points in the last week, going from 25.1% to 33.2%. In addition, the COVID-19 admission rate has increased from 3.7 to 4.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Comparison with June 2021
These data show a trend that already exceeds the trajectory of June 2021, when the second pandemic summer was beginning and 48.9% of the Spanish population had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 30.4% had two doses. The current rate of admissions also exceeds that of last year, when 85% of the total population was vaccinated.
Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health recalled that, although the symptoms are mild, it is necessary to follow certain recommendations to protect the most vulnerable people. These include covering the nose when sneezing, using disposable tissues and properly disposing of them.
Health also urged the use of masks when symptoms of respiratory infection occur (nasal congestion, sore throat, fever), to perform proper hand hygiene and to follow vaccination recommendations.
Rate of Respiratory Infections
According to the latest data from the ISCIII, the rate of respiratory infections (influenza, COVID-19 and RSV) nationwide is 439.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 428.9 the previous week. The positivity to rapid screening tests in the sentinel network shows that influenza has dropped from 1.8% to 0.5%, RSV remains close to 0%, and COVID-19 has risen from 19.9% to 24.5% in primary care.
In hospitals, the percentage of positivity is 0.8% for influenza (compared to 1% the previous week), 33.2% for SARS-CoV-2 (compared to 25.1% the previous week) and 0% for RSV.
Gravity Data
"In terms of severity, since the beginning of the season, hospitalized COVID-19 cases have 30.2% pneumonia, 4.1% ICU admission and 8.4% lethality," the report states.
Predominant Variants
The COVID-19 variants identified in the highest proportion remain BA.2.86 (about 60% in both primary care and hospitals), although since October 2023 the JN lineages and sublinages.1 have circulated with greater predominance (about 80% of cases).
Common Symptoms
The symptoms are still usually mild. The most reported are cough (81.9%), general malaise (78.2%), sore throat (67.5%) and fever (64.7%). More than half of the detected cases report a sudden onset of symptoms, muscle pain and headache.