Around half of the sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples were of the Omicron variant XBB.1.5. This variant is also on the rise in Europe and the United States, without increasing symptom severity.

Fewer cases of scarlet fever were reported in week 8 compared to week 7. The total number of scarlet fever cases in January and February 2023 was higher than the average number of cases over a whole year in the years 2019-2022. Fewer cases of sore throat were also reported in week 8 compared to week 7, however, still well over the past year’s average. Clinical diagnoses of streptococcal sore throat were around a third of all clinical diagnoses of sore throat in the first two months of 2023. Admissions to Landspitali due to invasive GAS (Group A Streptococcal) infections have increased in number since November 2022. Increased rates of invasive GAS infections have also been reported in other European countries over the past months, according to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The number of RSV cases in week 8 was similar to week 7. Influenza and Rhinovirus were the most frequent laboratory-confirmed infections in week 8. The number of admissions to Landspitali with or due to COVID-19, Influenza, or RSV was similar in week 8 compared to week 7.

In a new report (Icelandic), the incidence of respiratory diseases in the 8th week of 2023 is reviewed in more detail.

The Chief Epidemiologist