Respiratory Virus Multiplex PCR and SARS-CoV-2 PCR: All age groups
Comments:
- The most frequently detected viruses across all age groups during March were:
- Rhino/enterovirus (39.7%)
- Enterovirus (20.1%)
- Rhinovirus (20%)
- RSV (13.5%)
Epidemiological Week 1–13:
- SARS-CoV-2: Peaked in week 2 with a 23.9% positivity rate, declining to 1.6% in week 13.
- Influenza A and B: Influenza B remained low (0.1% in week 12, 0% in week 13). Influenza A increased from 5.2% in week 9 to 8.6% in week 13.
- RSV: Increased to 20% positivity in week 13.
Atypical Bacterial Pathogens
Pathogens Covered: Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila
Comments:
- B. pertussis, M. pneumoniae, and C. pneumoniae continue to circulate at low levels.
- Two cases of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia were detected by PCR testing during March.
- Most B. pertussis cases were in the 6–12 year age group (40%).
- Most C. pneumoniae cases were in the 1–12 year age group.
- Most M. pneumoniae cases were in adults aged 19–64 years.
Paediatric Respiratory Viral Multiplex PCR Data
Comments: Significant findings per age group during March
- <1 year of age:
- Rhino/enterovirus (45.6%)
- RSV (31.9%)
- Rhinovirus (24.1%)
- Enterovirus (19.6%)
- 1–5 years of age:
- Rhino/enterovirus (58.9%)
- Rhinovirus (29.5%)
- Enterovirus (27.8%)
- RSV (23.6%)
- 6–12 years of age:
- Rhino/enterovirus (52.7%)
- Rhinovirus (24.9%)
- Enterovirus (24%)