Influenza and COVID-19 Cases Rise in Mykolaiv: Vaccination Urged

The incidence of influenza, ARVI and COVID-19 in Mykolaiv region is gradually increasing, especially among the adult population. Despite the fact that the epidemic threshold has not been exceeded, doctors call for vaccination and compliance with preventive measures.

This was reported by the press service of the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

As of February 17, 2025, the incidence of influenza, ARVI and COVID-19 in the Mykolaiv region remains within seasonal fluctuations. Over the past week, the incidence rate increased by 9.4% compared to the previous period, especially among adults (+21.8%).

Among children, the increase was 1.9%, with the highest incidence among children under 4 years old (22.3%) and children aged 5-14 years old (60.9%).

A total of 4795 people fell ill during the week, including 26 with COVID-19. At the same time, the epidemic threshold in the region has not been exceeded - the incidence is 9% lower. The lowest rates were recorded in Bashtanka district (-52.9%), the highest in Voznesenskiy district (+27.8%).

The number of hospitalizations remains stable: 196 patients were hospitalized due to influenza and ARVI, including one case of COVID-19. No deaths were reported due to flu complications. Since August 2024, 8 people have died in the region due to the effects of COVID-19, all of whom had concomitant diseases and were not vaccinated.

Since the beginning of the epidemic season, 1030 people have received influenza vaccinations, including 594 medical workers. The virology laboratory has conducted 2541 tests, of which 372 (14.3%) were positive.

In Odesa, more than 100 school classes were quarantined due to the rising incidence rate. However, a general quarantine with the closure of all educational institutions is imposed only if the epidemic threshold is exceeded, which has not yet been exceeded, so schools continue to operate.

In addition, seven cases of metapneumovirus infection, which is a global concern, have been recorded in Odesa region, most of them among children. According to the results of the 2023-2024 epidemic season, 28 cases of this infection were laboratory confirmed in the region, of which up to 60% were children.

In Ukraine, the epidemiological season traditionally begins in October and lasts until spring. According to the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of October, more than 1.5 million Ukrainians have already suffered from SARS, flu, and COVID-19. The ministry also explained how to distinguish between these diseases.

Анна Бальчінос