The Olt Public Health Directorate has sent data on the first deaths caused by flu in the county, this flu season.
The number of flu cases reported by medical offices was more than twice lower in the week of January 12-18, 2026, compared to the period of January 5-11, but the medical records recorded the first deaths caused by flu this season, in Olt county. Both deaths are in the over 65 age category, and one of the victims, 100 years old, was vaccinated against influenza this season, but was also suffering from other diseases.
The first death occurred on January 17: a 72-year-old woman from the countryside, not vaccinated against flu, with pre-existing medical conditions. In her case, influenza virus type A subtype H1 pdm09 was confirmed.
The second death occurred on January 19. A 100-year-old woman, who had been vaccinated against influenza but had pre-existing medical conditions, contracted influenza type A subtype H3 virus, deteriorated and died.
Both deaths occurred in hospital.
In the week of January 12-18, 2026, 112 confirmed cases of influenza were reported in Olt County, with approximately half of the patients requiring hospitalization. The number is more than twice lower than the previous week, when there were 254 cases (58 requiring hospitalization).
Most cases of influenza were registered in the 0-19 age group, with 20 cases reported only in children between 2 and 4 years old.
Instead, numerous patients with acute respiratory diseases continue to present themselves at medical offices, with 696 cases reported (of which 33 required hospitalization). And the number of cases that have complicated with pneumonia still remains high, above that of the previous week, with 299 cases of pneumonia reported (55 treated in hospital).
The result of rapid antigenic tests used to diagnose patients who presented with flu-like symptoms has so far indicated that in 683 cases it was influenza A virus.
Four cases have been confirmed in Olt, since the beginning of the flu season, by the RT-PCR method, among them: two confirmed cases for influenza virus type A subtype H3 (RT-PCR) – of which one death; a confirmed case for influenza virus type A subtype H1 pdm09 (RT-PCR) – the patient died; a confirmed case for non-subtyped influenza A virus (RT-PCR).
The population is recommended to see a doctor from the first respiratory symptoms that appear, in order to determine the therapeutic indications and for possible additional investigations. Wearing a mask is the most indicated measure if we have respiratory symptoms and have to move in the community, to limit the spread of viruses. Maintaining rigorous hygiene, washing hands after touching surfaces and even more so after coming into contact with a sick person, avoiding crowds and avoiding contact with sick people are other recommendations that can prevent us from getting sick.
Doctors are still recommending the flu shot, as the flu is expected to continue to circulate well into the spring.
From the start of the cold season until the beginning of this week, 35,910 people were vaccinated against the flu in Olt county, over 330 of them in the last week.
