Respiratory Infections and Flu Cases Decline in La Rioja

Acute respiratory infections in La Rioja dropped to 353.67 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between October 12 and 18, falling from 425.71 cases the previous week, according to provisional data released by Public Health and reported by nuevecuatrouno.com.

Respiratory infection rates decline across La Rioja

The latest public health figures show decreases across multiple major viruses during the week of October 12 to 18. Influenza fell from 19.65 to 9.82 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, maintaining low overall circulation levels in the region.

COVID-19 recorded its second weekly decline, dropping from 55.67 to 32.75 cases per 100,000 residents. Public health officials detected no cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the same weekly monitoring period.

Despite the general downward trend, infants under one year old experienced the highest incidence rate of respiratory infections. Hospital data from October 19 showed 19 patients admitted for COVID-19 and two patients hospitalized for influenza. No patients required hospital admission for RSV.

Public health officials urge vaccination before winter surge

Eva Martínez, the general director of Public Health, Consumption and Care, noted that the region sits at the start of the peak circulation season and warned that conditions could shift in the coming weeks.

Officials recommend that individuals who qualify for targeted immunization programs get vaccinated as soon as possible. The current 2026-2027 immunization campaign has delivered 21,899 doses against influenza and 8,907 doses against COVID-19.

Uptake among elderly residents living in care facilities reached 63.37 percent for influenza and 57.2 percent for COVID-19. Primary care networks deployed 24 sentinel surveillance teams to track transmission rates across the region.

Vaccine rollout expands to schools and senior centers

Primary care centers are scaling up vaccine administration for identified risk groups, with age-group-specific data releases scheduled to begin shortly. The influenza campaign expanded this season to include students up to age 13 in school settings, utilizing intranasal vaccine delivery methods.

Immunization efforts also launched inside senior day centers across La Rioja. Health authorities continue to monitor weekly sentinel data as colder weather patterns approach.