--- title: "Ukraine Health Ministry: Nearly 98,000 ARI Cases Reported in a Week, Fourth Influenza Case Confirmed" description: "Between November 2 and 8, 97,520 people in Ukraine contracted ARI, a 1.6% decrease from the previous week. Confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 110, and a fourth lab-confirmed influenza case for the season was reported in the Rivne region." date: 2026-11-11T13:33:30.154Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-ministry-health-ari-flu-november-2026 tags: [ukraine-health, respiratory-infections, flu, covid-19, ministry-of-health, epidemiology] author: "Inna Kinsheva" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ukraine Health Ministry: Nearly 98,000 ARI Cases Reported in a Week, Fourth Influenza Case Confirmed ![Doctor in a medical mask holds hands with an elderly patient during a clinic consultation](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/minzdrav-ukrainy-orvi-grifp-noyabr-2026/minzdrav-ukrainy-orvi-grifp-noyabr-2026-1.webp) ## Key Points - 97,520 ARI cases were registered in Ukraine between Nov 2–8, 2026, 1.6% lower than the week prior and 5.7% lower than last year. - 110 COVID-19 cases confirmed (+18 from previous week); fourth influenza case of the season found in Rivne region. - 2,054 patients hospitalized with ARI, including 1,256 children; all regions remain at baseline infection levels. - The ARI, influenza, and COVID-19 epidemic season in Ukraine runs from Sept 28, 2026, to May 23, 2027. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, published in an official statement on Facebook and reported by RBC-Ukraine, 97,520 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) were registered in the country from November 2 to November 8, 2026. This figure is 1.6% lower than the previous week and 5.7% lower compared to the same period last year. Epidemiologists are recording a baseline level of respiratory infection spread in all regions of Ukraine, and the ministry emphasizes that "no signs of intense respiratory infection spread are observed in Ukraine." ### COVID-19 and Influenza: Dynamics of Confirmed Cases Despite the general decrease in ARI incidence, the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases increased during the reporting week: 110 cases were recorded, which is 18 more than the previous week. 2,054 patients were hospitalized with ARI, 1,256 of whom were children. Regarding influenza, laboratory tests in the Rivne region detected another case—the fourth laboratory-confirmed influenza case since the beginning of the current epidemic season. Furthermore, three preliminary cases have been recorded in the Kharkiv, Lviv, and Rivne regions, with influenza A virus identified in all of them. ### Spectrum of Circulating Viruses Laboratory monitoring conducted under epidemiological surveillance has revealed a wide range of pathogens in samples: in addition to SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, and rhinoviruses have been detected. The presence of multiple circulating pathogens is characteristic of the initial phase of an epidemic season, when the population's immune system has not yet developed a stable collective immunity to the specific strains of the current year. ### Epidemic Season Timeline and Ministry Recommendations As previously noted by the Public Health Center of Ukraine in a brief interview with RBC-Ukraine, the current influenza, COVID-19, and other ARI epidemic season began on September 28, 2026, and is projected to last until May 23, 2027. Thus, the reporting week was just one of the first in a long period of elevated respiratory morbidity. The Ministry of Health recommends that parents remind children to wash their hands with soap for at least 30 seconds, especially after being outside or interacting with other children, teach them to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching their face with dirty hands. Additionally, the ministry advises ensuring children have a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and daily walks, regularly airing out residential spaces, and avoiding mass gatherings during periods of high incidence. ### Context: Regional Dynamics For comparison, a decline in ARI incidence is also being recorded in several regions of Russia at the beginning of November. For instance, according to the Kuzbass administration of Rospotrebnadzor, the indicator in the Kemerovo region decreased by 8.8% over the same period. Nevertheless, Ukrainian epidemiologists emphasize that a baseline level does not mean there are no risks: with the current dynamics and no sudden spikes in morbidity, the country is navigating the initial stage of the epidemic season normally. This material is strictly for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. The information is intended to familiarize readers with possible symptoms, causes, and methods of disease detection, but should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of health problems, it is necessary to consult a qualified physician. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Заболеваемость ОРВИ в Украине снизилась: в областях фиксируют фоновый уровень](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zahvoryuvanist-grvi-ukrayini-znizilasya-oblastyah-1794398420.html) - Primary source: Ministry of Health of Ukraine data published on Facebook. All figures (97,520 cases, 110 COVID-19, 2,054 hospitalizations, 4 flu cases) are taken from this source. - [В Кузбассе за неделю заболеваемость ОРВИ снизилась на 8,8%](https://www.kem.kp.ru/online/news/7211181/) - Used solely as regional context for comparison of ARI dynamics in early November. Contains no data regarding Ukraine. ## FAQ ### How many people contracted ARI in Ukraine during the week of November 2–8, 2026? According to the Ministry of Health, 97,520 ARI cases were registered, 1.6% fewer than the previous week and 5.7% lower than the same period last year. ### How many influenza cases have been confirmed since the start of the season? As of November 8, 2026, four influenza cases have been lab-confirmed. The latest was in Rivne. Three preliminary cases involving influenza type A were also reported in the Kharkiv, Lviv, and Rivne regions. ### When does the ARI epidemic season in Ukraine start and end? According to the Public Health Center of Ukraine, the current epidemic season for flu, COVID-19, and other ARIs began on September 28, 2026, and will last until May 23, 2027. ### What preventive measures does the Ministry of Health recommend? The Ministry advises washing hands with soap for at least 30 seconds, covering the mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing, not touching the face with dirty hands, maintaining a balanced diet, sleep, and walks, airing out rooms, and avoiding mass gatherings during high incidence periods.