'Corona' tops latest respiratory virus monitoring in Jordan

Dr. Adel Balbisi, President of the National Center for Epidemics and Endemic Diseases, explained that the positivity of COVID-19 in week 37 was about 15%, with 6 positive samples out of 40 samples tested, compared to 14% in week 36, with 6 samples out of 43 samples.

He added in a statement to 'Al-Rai' that this represents a slight increase in the positivity rate, with the absolute number of positive samples remaining at 6 for both weeks, confirming that these rates represent laboratory monitoring samples and do not reflect the total number of cases in the community.

The laboratory monitoring program for influenza-like and severe acute respiratory syndrome ILI/SARI cases, implemented by the Ministry of Health in several hospitals and health centers, focuses on influenza A with patterns H3N2 and H1N1, influenza B with strains Victoria and Yamagata, respiratory syncytial virus RSV, and coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, while there are other respiratory viruses that may cause runny nose, cough, and sore throat.

Balbisi explained that the activity of viruses changes seasonally, with the respiratory syncytial virus being high during the years 2023 and 2024, while influenza activity increased noticeably during the year 2025.

Despite COVID-19 topping the monitoring in week 37, the respiratory syncytial virus is the highest cumulatively since the beginning of the year until that week, recording 278 cases out of 1979 samples, with a positivity rate of 14.05%, compared to 36 cases for COVID-19 with a rate of 1.82%, and 14 cases for influenza A and B with a rate of less than 1%.

In the entire year of 2025, 4848 samples were tested, with influenza A and B positivity at about 11.84% for 574 cases, respiratory syncytial virus at 3.96% for 192 cases, and SARS-CoV-2 positivity at about 2.19% for 106 cases.

During the year 2026 until week 37, 1979 samples were tested, with influenza A and B positivity less than 1%, respiratory syncytial virus at 14.05%, and COVID-19 at about 1.82%.

Comparing epidemiological weeks 35 to 37 of the two years, the monitoring samples recorded 14 COVID-19 cases in both 2025 and 2026, and no activity of the respiratory syncytial virus was recorded during these weeks in both years, while only one case of influenza was recorded during the corresponding period of 2026.

Balbisi confirmed that this reflects a changing seasonal pattern, and that the increase in SARS-CoV-2 positivity does not mean an increase in the absolute number of detected cases.

Regarding runny nose, cough, and sore throat cases coinciding with weather changes, he explained that weather changes do not cause respiratory infections by themselves, but they may create conditions that help their transmission, including crowding and low ventilation in closed spaces.

He emphasized that symptoms are overlapping between viruses and are not sufficient to determine the cause, as the common cold is usually milder and may start gradually with runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and sore throat, while the onset of influenza is more surprising and may be accompanied by fever, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue, while COVID-19 may cause fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue, and some infected individuals may experience a change in smell or taste.

Balbisi called for medical evaluation when severe symptoms appear, especially shortness of breath, chest pain, or deterioration of the general condition, especially in the elderly, those with chronic diseases, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women.

He pointed out that increased mixing in schools may increase the chances of respiratory disease transmission, and that children are more susceptible to respiratory syncytial virus, without implying that other groups are not infected.

Regarding autumn and winter, he said 'the activity of many viruses may increase seasonally, but the size or severity of any wave cannot be predicted based on data from one week,' emphasizing the importance of monitoring the trend over several weeks.

Comparing with European data, Balbisi explained that the latest summary of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC showed in week 38 a combined positivity for SARS-CoV-2 of 15% in primary care samples in European Union and European Economic Area countries, compared to zero for respiratory syncytial virus and 5.3% for influenza, stressing that this does not mean the situation matches Jordan due to differences in monitoring systems and sample sizes.

He emphasized taking the seasonal influenza vaccine according to national recommendations, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic diseases, immunocompromised individuals, and healthcare workers, and adhering to other recommended vaccinations for target groups.

Balbisi also recommended that those with respiratory symptoms stay at home as much as possible, avoid contact with groups more at risk of complications, adhere to coughing and sneezing etiquette, wash hands, improve ventilation in closed spaces, reduce crowding, and use masks in closed or crowded places, especially for those at higher risk or when symptoms are present and contact cannot be avoided.