Flu claims 22 lives in Greece since late November

Greek authorities announced on Tuesday that a 78-year-old woman passed away on Crete island, bringing the number of flu complications victims to 22 since late November.

The elderly woman had been in intensive care for two weeks and had respiratory problems before contracting the flu virus, Greece's SKAI television reported.

A few hours earlier, a five-year-old girl also lost her life on Crete as a result of the flu virus.

Last week, Greece's Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KEELPNO) had recorded 18 casualties since the start of the flu season.

Two elderly men also died of flu complications in central Greece during the weekend.

So far, at least 117 patients have been hospitalized in intensive care units due to the flu virus, according to KEELPNO epidemiologists.

In the overwhelming majority the cases, including the dead, belonged to population segments at high risk of complications and had not been vaccinated.

In the previous flu season 2017-2018 KEELPNO had recorded 42 fatalities, down from 108 in the winter season 2016-2017, according to the official data.