In addition, 1 million citizens, including 75% of Madrid’s population over 80 years old, have received intensive treatment against COVID-19, recommended for high-risk groups (most of which also include people with chronic diseases and social and health professionals).
Health Minister Fatima Matut reported the data today during a visit to the health center in Las Cortes in the capital, where she thanked nursing professionals for their work in this initiative to protect the health of the population, as well as the Public Health Technical staff of the General Administration.
Matute emphasized that this season “the impact of vaccination campaigns against influenza and other respiratory viruses has been clearly recognized, as their incidence is lower than in the pre-pandemic season and logically it contributes to the reduction in cases There was an impact as well as general hospitalizations.”
Regarding immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the Madrid public health system is a pioneer in causing bronchiolitis and has so far immunized 81% of the population since October 1 last year. The target is 36,227 children under six months of age and newborns (96% of babies delivered since October). This measure, which lasts until March 31 at the Niño Jesús public hospital and public and private maternity hospitals (for newborns), has resulted in a reduction of more than 50% in the number of cases and a 70% reduction in the number of cases. Children under one year old were admitted to the hospital.
Results of the Madrid Community Strategy
“These results are the result of measures implemented as part of a joint working strategy at all levels of care and supported by the pillars of vaccination prevention, epidemiological alerts and care resource planning, “Winter Plan”Matute said.
He also recalled that although the flu peak occurred in the last week of last year, its incidence rate was 181 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, “much lower than other seasons with more than 300 cases”, and currently stands at 35.5 cases, which is very low. The epidemic threshold is close to being lowered.
Regarding COVID-19, the consultant said there are currently 11.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease of almost 62% from the previous week, and a 50% decrease in income. The second dose of vaccination is targeted at high-risk groups: people aged 60 years and above and people aged 12 to 59 years with medical conditions at public health centers and other authorized sites in the region.
winter plan
To address the spread of diseases typical of this era, the Community of Madrid launched the winter planThis includes employing 1,800 professional staff at hospital centers and providing 1,075 beds based on care needs through daily pressure monitoring. Rapid referral lines to secondary inpatient and support hospitals have also been established.
Through daily monitoring, the first phase of measures was launched at the end of November, and the next phase of measures, based on monitoring of emergency services such as medical inpatient wards and intensive care units, was launched in mid-to-late December.