Health recommends wearing a mask if you have symptoms due to the resurgence of flu and Covid

2023-12-27 12:08:17

Updated Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – 11:08

Respiratory diseases such as flu and Covid-19 are on the rise, which in the last week have shown an increase of 37.17%

Person with a mask in the MetroNGEL NAVARRETESalud Influenza A viruses and the new Covid strain threaten Christmas: “There are more cases than are recorded”

Given the rebound in respiratory diseases such as the flu and Covid-19, which in the last week has shown a 37.17 percent increasethe Ministry of Health has published recommendations to prevent contagion including hand hygiene, Cover your nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a mask if you have symptoms compatible with a respiratory infection.

The recommendations also include use disposable tissues to contain respiratory droplets or secretions; After using the tissues, throw them in the nearest garbage bag; and wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol gel regularly and after contact with respiratory secretions.

Finally, it is recommended follow vaccination guidelines against respiratory microorganisms and avoid, if possible, going to the workplace with symptoms of illness.

Incidence rate of respiratory diseases

Currently the incidence rate of acute respiratory diseases in Spain in Primary Care is located in 739.9 per 100,000 inhabitantswhich represents an increase of 37.17 percent compared to the previous week, especially in fluwhen the figure was 539.4, as stated in the weekly report ‘Sentinel Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infection in Primary Care (IRAs) and in Hospitals (SARI): Flu, Covid-19 and RSV’ from the Carlos Health Institute III (ISCIII), attached to the Ministry of Health.

According to these data, this week the percentage of positivity to SARS-CoV-2 has increased to 14.3 percent (13.3% in the previous week), to gripe has increased to 20 percent (13% in the previous week, which represents an increase of 53.8%) and for respiratory syncytial virus (VRS) positivity is maintained (15.2% compared to 15.8% the previous week).

In addition, the incidence of flu in Primary Care has increased the slope of ascent and occurs in all age groups.

In fact, the rate stands at 159.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (68.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous week), which represents an increase of 133 percent in just seven days.