It has been reported that the necessary conditions have been met for an official flu epidemic to be declared in Belgium.
The Belgian National Institute of Public Health (Sciensano) stated that there is a rapid increase in flu cases, which is seen in laboratory tests and hospitalizations as well as physician examinations.
In the statement made by the institute, it was informed that apart from flu (influenza) and bronchitis viruses, other viruses that cause coronavirus and respiratory tract diseases are common among the public.
Sciensano official Steven Van Gucht, who advises the Belgian government in the fight against the Kovid-19 epidemic, said, “We have started to see flu cases as much as Kovid-19 cases in our hospitals. It is very likely that the flu cases hospitalized will exceed the number of Kovid-19 patients.” used the phrase.
Van Gucht advised everyone to wash their hands thoroughly, wear masks in crowded places, stay at home when sick, ventilate enclosed spaces, and get a flu shot if possible.
Before Belgium, it was announced that there was an official flu epidemic in Germany and Slovakia.
LOAD ON HOSPITALS INCREASED
It was reported that the burden on hospitals increased when cases caused by influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were added to Kovid-19 cases in the country.
It was stated that the admission of patients in some hospitals slowed down due to the fact that a large number of health workers got such diseases.
It has been announced that many employees in UZ Leuven, the hospital of the University of Leuven, one of the largest universities in Belgium, got sick, so non-emergency patient admissions were postponed.
The chief physician of the hospital, Gert Van Assche, said that after the Christmas holidays, many elderly people, especially the elderly, started to apply to the hospital with complaints of respiratory tract infections.
“We’re expecting a heavy flu season.” Van Assche said that this situation combined with the lack of personnel, created a great burden in hospitals. (AA)