Flu on the rise in Saxony - decline in coronavirus cases

With the end of the Christmas vacations in Saxony, reports of respiratory infections are on the rise again. According to the first report from the State Investigation Institute (LUA) this year, rhino and influenza viruses are now the main cause. This indicates the start of the expected seasonal flu wave. While coronavirus infections dominated until the end of December 2024, the weekly number of influenza cases is now higher.

According to the LUA report, 343 influenza cases were reported in the first week of January, which corresponds to a "significant" increase of 73 percent compared to the previous week. Young children and primary school pupils are particularly affected, as well as adults. There was one further death.

In contrast, there were 259 registered coronavirus infections, mainly among older adults and senior citizens, with a downward trend. The number of reported respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, mainly in young children, is "still at a relatively low level" at 51.

Almost 150 deaths so far

Since the official start of the season at the beginning of October 2024, a total of 1.749 cases of influenza, 13,041 coronavirus infections and 549 RSV infections and 148 deaths: 142 people between the ages of 46 and 97 have reportedly died from a coronavirus infection and seven people between the ages of 48 and 91 from influenza A.