Influenza increases emergencies in Catalonia by 20%

epidemic wave influenza, A slowdown in the spread of the virus due to contacts over the Christmas holidays has put pressure on emergencies in Catalonia’s health centres, which are estimated to have increased by around 20%, with no Any sign the pressure will ease in the coming days.

Mireia, president of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUE), explained in a statement to EFE: “We are experiencing a quite significant increase in adult emergencies, if we compare it to the pre-COVID-19 Comparing the same dates in typical years, the numbers would be higher.” Puig.

He pointed out that it was estimated that activity in the emergency rooms of Catalunya hospitals increased by about 20% from December 23 to last Thursday.

Puig said during the Christmas season, hospital emergency services typically have the same staffing levels as at other times of the year, even with reinforcements.

“Still, the supply is still insufficient as there are many patients coming in,” the doctor added.

Puig is heading to the emergency department of San Paolo Hospital and predicts: There will be an increase in flu cases as well as COVID cases.

“In principle there is no reason to reduce it, because the weather is cold, gatherings of people who can spread the virus continue, and vaccinations are also reduced,” he noted.

recovery mask

In this context, Mireia Puig endorses the recommendations made by the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES), such as Masks are used by people who are sick or have flu symptoms, as well as caregivers.

Also avoid kissing or very close contact if possible, ventilate as much as possible in closed spaces (New Year’s Eve is coming up now), stay home if someone has symptoms, and get a flu shot if the person is in a high-risk group ( Chronic diseases, obesity, children over 65 years old, sick children over 6 months old, medical staff)

The latest updated data from the Catalonia Infection Surveillance System for the week of December 18 to 24 already shows an upward trend in influenza epidemics.

A total of 118,319 emergencies were attended to over seven days, one-third of which were in primary care acute care units (CUAP), totaling 40,996 cases, and two-thirds of which were in hospitals (77,323 cases).

In Catalonia, the influenza vaccination rate is 65% for people over 80 years old and 52% for people aged 70 to 79, according to the Ministry of Health.

Compared with COVID-19, this is lower, at 58% for people over 80 and 45% for people aged 70 to 79.