Flu Cases Surge Among Elementary Students and Toddlers, Suspected Patients Double Last Year's Level

As influenza cases rise centered around elementary school students and toddlers, the number of suspected patients recently has surged to more than double the level recorded during the same period last year.

According to sample surveillance results from clinic-level medical institutions, the fraction of suspected influenza patients for the 35th week of this year stood at 13.3 per 1,000 people, an increase from 9.2 in the previous week.

This is also higher compared to the 6.4 recorded during the same period of the previous year.

The fraction of suspected influenza patients is on an upward trend across all age groups.

In particular, high incidence rates are relatively prominent among elementary students and toddlers, with 36.5 per 1,000 for ages 7 to 12 and 22.6 for ages 1 to 6.

The influenza virus detection rate among respiratory patients at clinic-level medical institutions has also risen to 12.3%, showing an upward trend.

The COVID-19 virus detection rate also increased slightly from the previous week to 11.7%.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.