WHO warns of respiratory viruses leading to hospital occupancy – El Financiero

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe warned on Tuesday of an increase in COVID-19 cases. influenza The strain is likely to increase in several countries and hospitals in recent weeks.

“We are concerned about reports of localized pressure on hospitals and overcrowding in emergencies as respiratory viruses are spreading,” WHO Europe director Hans Kluge told a news conference.

In Europe, this includes 53 countries, including Russia

In several former Soviet republics, hospitalizations for influenza have increased by 58% in the past two weeks compared with the previous two weeks, and admissions to intensive care units have increased by 21%.

The most affected groups are the elderly over 65 and young children.

“We are seeing high influenza infection intensity in several countries in the region. Health systems must prepare for a possible increase in influenza cases in the coming weeks,” Kruger said.

Kluge emphasized that in addition to influenza and COVID-19, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also seen clusters during these weeks, along with other pathogens such as microplasma and measles, which disproportionately affect children .

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“RSV rates peaked before the New Year and are currently declining.”COVID-19 infections remain high but are declining, while flu infections are increasing rapidlyKrueger said, emphasizing that this trend is “not necessarily out of the ordinary.”

He stressed the importance of closely monitoring the evolution of influenza and other respiratory viruses and criticized 13 countries in the region for not providing data on these viruses last week.

Catherine Smallwood, director of emergencies programs, similarly stressed that the World Health Organization did not change its advice on the use of masks last year, recalling that it still “strongly recommends” their use in health centers, particularly where COVID-19 is present The spread of -19.