Respiratory infections in Malaga have risen by almost 21% in a month, although doctors say levels remain low and most cases being seen in consultations are mild.
The province recorded 201.8 acute respiratory infections per 100,000 residents in primary care during the week of October 26 to November 1, according to Andalucia’s latest surveillance report.
That is up from 167.1 around a month earlier, but remains the lowest provincial rate in Andalucia and below the regional average of 279.3.
‘There is a slight increase in incidence, but it is still not very high,’ said Dr Jose Luis Velasco, head of respiratory medicine at Malaga’s Hospital Clínico.
Malaga city records the highest rate
Malaga city’s health district had the highest rate in the province, at 302.2 cases per 100,000 residents, followed by the Guadalhorce valley at 191.6 and the Axarquia at 168.9.
The Costa del Sol district recorded a considerably lower rate of 128.6, while La Vega and the Serranía registered 122.5 and 127.7 respectively.
Across Andalucia, babies under one had the highest incidence in primary care, followed by children aged one to four.
Hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory infections also increased across the region, reaching 8.9 per 100,000 residents, compared with 7.5 the previous week.
Velasco said the upward trend remained gradual, with only small changes in admissions at the Hospital Clínico.
Mostly mild cases
Dr Pedro J. Navarro, president of Malaga’s medical association and a paediatrician, said consultations were increasingly dominated by respiratory illnesses, particularly ordinary colds, coughs and low-grade fevers. He also reported cases of laryngitis among children.
Both doctors encouraged people eligible for flu and Covid vaccinations to take part in the campaign before circulation increases further.
‘We are still very much in time to get vaccinated,’ Velasco said.
Walk-in vaccination sessions are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 18, continuing every Wednesday until December 16 for the campaign’s eligible groups.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
