During the week before Christmas (18-24 December), the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) continues to rise over the following days, with influenza, rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission is within normal parameters and increases with the onset of epidemic waves.
this Lower temperatures and Christmas celebrations Rebounds are mainly caused by the following situations: influenzaalthough also Coronavirus disease and other respiratory infections, e.g. Bronchiolitisthe impact on hospitals is very obvious due to the situation of the most vulnerable groups (elderly people over 80 years old and children under 1 year old).
The autonomous regions are preparing for the New Year and the peak period of respiratory diseases, which have risen again in a week to 908 cases per 100,000 inhabitants due to the spread of influenza. At present, the epidemic has been brought under control, which is not surprising because the viruses spreading are all “old acquaintances”.
As the New Year approaches, the epidemiological curve continues to rise, driven by Christmas social interactions and plummeting temperatures in parts of Spain, leading to increased visits to GPs and emergency rooms and hospitalizations among people over 80 and under 1 year old.
The overall incidence of respiratory diseases in almost half of the autonomous regions is much higher than the national average, which has led to an increase in health care in recent weeks, but Epidemiologists see situation normalizingcompared to pre-pandemic years and The level of care remains under control.
its about The beginning of an epidemic wave, mainly influenza, Óscar Zurriaga, president of the Spanish Epidemiology Society (SEE), explained to EFE that the records in this season’s preview do not differ much from previous years. “We’re certainly not above the levels we saw in previous seasons before the pandemic. It’s been a relatively normal season,” he concluded.
Zuriaga noted, “We are now in a The epidemiological curve rises“The extent of this can be verified after the Three Wise Men celebrations, as these weeks of summer can lead to delays and underreporting of cases in surveillance systems.
Regarding the strain on hospital care that occurs every season, the SEE president said that this usually happens when the epidemic wave starts to rise, pointing to the “resilience” of centers whose protocols allow them to adjust their space. Bed availability changes based on health status, not “from one day to the next.”
Data from the Carlos III Health Institute show flu income As covid-19 cases increased to 2.3 (compared to 1.9 the previous week), the rate rose to 5.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 3.2 the previous week), while the rate of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis stabilized and remained at 4. 2 cases.
Some centers and hospitals in the autonomous region of Madrid have started to notice an increase in patient numbers, unions and associations reported, suggesting that this increase, combined with an “insufficient” staff supply, has led to services being “overwhelmed and overcrowded”. , while Castile-La Mancha’s health care needs hit an all-time high, with 4,000 emergencies handled on Tuesday.
According to Zuriaga, he Surge ‘continued rise is normal and expected’, in the context of mainly circulating H3N2 influenza serotypes (influenza virus genus A) and the omicron sublineage, no more severe cases have yet been reported. Zuriaga said that no matter what, the virus is a virus and experts and the medical community already know that, but he clarified that “there is no crystal ball” to determine what will happen in the coming weeks.
Here are some of the communities reporting epidemiological and health conditions in recent weeks.
castilla la mancha
The country’s hospitals broke records on Tuesday, admitting 4,000 patients, with the government arguing the demand was “already well-utilized” and that the spike would not be the last as the virus becomes more common in the community. High, more than 1,360 cases per person. 100,000 inhabitants.
valencian community
Although it has one of the highest rates of respiratory infections (1,329 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and influenza cases double every week, no problems with saturation or lack of beds are reported.
Asturias
Severe acute respiratory infections are increasing in both children and adults (incidence 31 cases, compared with the national average of nearly 20 cases). More than 50 per cent of tests in primary care show influenza continues to grow, while covid-19 is increasing in some groups.
Catalonia
Although the number of bronchiolitis cases in children is down from last season due to vaccinations, flu rates are still on the rise, with peaks higher than last year. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be stabilizing as hospital admissions decline. Primary care is detecting a larger-than-expected increase in pneumonia and bronchitis.
Basque Country
Influenza is spreading among the population, but the incidence of other infections such as bronchiolitis among children under 2 years old remains high, with more than 1,100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
In December, the respiratory illness gradually worsened, causing the emergency rooms of many hospitals to “collapse” during the Constitution long weekend. Wait times in the emergency room of Txagoritxu Hospital in Victoria were as long as 16 hours.
navarre
Salud-Osasunbidea confirms that emergency room visits and hospital admissions for respiratory infections are high but have not yet reached saturation. Transmission of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 is increasing, but with lower intensity and severity.
castile and leon
Flu activity has risen for three consecutive weeks, doubling in percentage and is expected to peak in January, while Covid-19 maintains modest and reasonable trends and bronchiolitis in children is under control through vaccination.
cantabria
Hospitals such as Valdesilla (Santander) are operating as expected at this time of year, with high bed occupancy. Due to contingency plans in place, demand due to influenza outbreaks is monitored daily to accommodate demand and allow for spikes.
There is an increase in pediatric emergency activity over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
rioja
The incidence of acute respiratory infections has increased from 1,008 to 1,146 cases per 100,000 inhabitants last week and is expected to reach a peak in the coming weeks, without saturation in centers.
Aragon
The number of infections detected in primary care is increasing, especially influenza, which has exceeded the established baseline threshold of 59.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (69.8 cases) and covid-19, although there is currently no collapse of cases, either in family medicine or Hospital in the field of medicine.
suggestion
In light of the resurgence of respiratory illnesses such as influenza and Covid-19, the Ministry of Health has issued recommendations to prevent infection, including hand hygiene, covering the nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing, and wearing a mask if symptoms occur. Have a respiratory infection.
Recommendations also include using disposable tissues to contain respiratory droplets or secretions; disposing of tissues in the nearest rubbish bag after using them; and regularly washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol gel after contact with respiratory secretions .
Finally, it is recommended to follow vaccination guidelines against respiratory microorganisms and avoid workplaces where symptoms of illness occur if possible.
The Ministry of Health recalls some recommendations that should not be forgotten amid the increasing number of Covid-19 and influenza infections: cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands frequently or avoid going to the bathroom as much as possible. Chances are, working on symptoms is part of it.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Use disposable tissues to contain respiratory droplets or secretions.
- After using the paper towel, throw it into the nearest trash bag.
- Perform hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or cleaning with alcohol gel) regularly and after contact with respiratory secretions.
- Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms.
- Follow vaccination recommendations against respiratory microorganisms.
- If possible, avoid going to work with symptoms of illness.