Flu infections are down, but transmission remains high: "We cannot rule out resurgences"

BarcelonaAfter arriving to its all-time highThe flu is beginning to lose momentum, and in the last week the incidence of the disease has decreased slightly, according to the latest data from the Infection Surveillance Information System in Catalonia (SIVIC). Even so, the flu epidemic continues. at very high transmission levels And the Secretary of Public Health, Esteve Fernández, has called for caution, especially as Christmas approaches, when social gatherings are expected to increase. "We cannot rule out a resurgence in the coming days," he warned on Tuesday. To try to contain infections, especially among the most vulnerable population, the Catalan Health Department will extend the mandatory use of masks in healthcare and social care centers for another two weeks. "We must be extremely careful, especially when interacting with vulnerable people," insisted the Deputy Director of CatSalut, Pilar Otermin, in anticipation of Christmas family gatherings, where people of all ages will be present.

For this reason, in addition to vaccination, the Catalan Health Department recommends ventilating spaces well, practicing good hand hygiene, and, if symptoms appear, wearing a mask, especially for the elderly or those with chronic illnesses, who are at higher risk of developing a severe case if they become ill.

In the last seven days, primary care has diagnosed 30,298 new cases of the flu, 3,000 fewer than the previous week, and Catalonia is approaching Christmas with an incidence rate of 543 infections per 100,000 inhabitants, down from 764 cases the previous week. However, the vast majority of infections are in people under 60. The age group with the most diagnoses is 15 to 44 years old, with 12,562 cases. Hospitalizations, on the other hand, have decreased. Of the 145 people hospitalized with the flu, 99 are over 60 and 44 are over 80. There are seven patients in intensive care units (ICUs), four of whom are over 60. Even so, Otermin highlighted that the number of emergency room visits has decreased in the last week, both at primary care centers (CAPs) and hospitals. Specifically, they fell by 9% and 6.2%, respectively. In this regard, the deputy director of CatSalut (the Catalan Health Service) touted the regional health department's program designed to handle all the increased healthcare activity during the winter, which is driven by respiratory viruses such as the flu and rhinovirus. This year, the program has a budget of almost 37 million euros. However, she did not specify how many temporary staff have been hired at the centers to ensure good care without overburdening existing staff. She stated that each institution uses these funds as it sees fit.

Improved vaccination rates

Regarding flu vaccination coverage, the rate is 67% for those over 80 and 54% for those between 70 and 79. Among children aged 6 to 59 months, coverage is currently at 41%. Fernández highlighted that 120,000 more people have been vaccinated this year than last year, an improvement he attributed to the earlier start of the campaign, especially among children, who began receiving vaccinations in mid-September, as well as increased accessibility, partly thanks to the option of getting vaccinated without an appointment. The Secretary also reminded the public that vaccination is still available to anyone who wishes to be vaccinated, regardless of age.