Health authorities in Andalucia have reported a sharp rise in respiratory infections such as flu, Covid-19 and bronchitis.
Incidence rates of respiratory illnesses climbed 58 points in just one week, according to the region’s latest Primary Care data.
Between September 22 and 28, the combined rate of such infections reached 246.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 188.6 the previous week.
Flu remained stable at 1.4 cases, while Covid increased slightly to 3.7 from 3.5.
The steepest rise was seen among children under five, where cases of bronchitis and bronchiolitis jumped from 66.3 to 98.8 per 100,000, marking the highest growth across all age groups.
Hospital data shows continuing pressure
Figures from the Junta de Andalucia, shared with Europa Press, show that acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in hospitals reached 4.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 4.6 a week earlier.
The highest hospitalisation rates were recorded in patients under 79, followed by those aged 65 to 79, with men showing slightly higher incidence than women.
The provisional rate for flu-related hospital cases rose sharply from 6.2 to 19 per 100,000, while Covid-19 admissions increased to 66.3 from 62.8. In contrast, infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remained at zero.
National trend mirrors Andalucia’s rise
Across Spain as a whole, the incidence of ARIs climbed to 441.2 cases per 100,000, up from 349.6 the previous week. The highest rates were observed in infants under one year, followed by children aged one to four. Nationally, women registered slightly higher infection rates than men.
The Andalusian Health Department said the region continues to see an upward trend in positive tests and detections in Primary Care, although hospital indicators have stabilised at high levels in recent weeks.
Officials note that people over 65 remain the group most affected by severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, and confirmed that the XFG variant is currently the dominant strain circulating in the community.
Vaccination drive intensifies across the region
Andalucia’s autumn vaccination campaign began on September 30, with more than 160,000 children aged six months to just under five years now eligible for the flu jab.
So far, nearly 70,000 doses have been administered in schools and health centres.
This Monday, vaccination teams began visiting care homes, centres for people with disabilities, and health and social-care workers to administer both the flu and Covid boosters.
The rollout will continue in the following stages this month:
October 14: people aged 80 and over, and those with severe dependency, vaccinated at home.
October 20: people aged 70+, children over five, and adults with chronic illnesses.
October 27: people aged 60+, essential workers (police, firefighters, civil protection), those exposed to animals, and prison staff.
From November 12, walk-in vaccination Wednesdays will be available at health centres for target groups while the campaign remains active.
The Andalusian Health Service has allocated €23 million to the campaign and aims to reach 1.69 million people across the region.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
