Respiratory illnesses peak: Influenza takes the lead

For the next two months, flu is expected to dominate respiratory illnesses, health experts have warned, urging people to get vaccinated and practice caution, particularly those in high-risk groups.

Influenza cases are climbing, with virus activity officially in an upward phase. Last week, 5% of doctor visits involved flu-like symptoms, and 15% of those patients tested positive for the virus. Since October, seven flu cases have required ICU treatment, and one death has been recorded.

Vaccination efforts are improving, with 600,000 more people immunized compared to last year, boosted by new rules allowing pharmacies to administer flu shots without prescriptions. This change, according to Apostolos Valtas, president of Greece's Pharmaceutical Association, has encouraged more citizens to get protected.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 in December remains at lower-than-expected...