According to the weekly report of the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY), there has been a significant increase in flu and other respiratory infections.
In the report, it was announced that between December 30, 2024 and January 5, 2025, 7 people were treated in intensive care and 1 person died in the country due to flu confirmed by laboratory results.
The report stated that the ages of 7 patients treated in intensive care ranged between 19 and 81 and that these patients consisted of three men and four women, and that the positivity rate in flu cases was above the seasonal threshold value.
Experts stated that due to the increasing number of cases in the winter months, more attention should be paid to hygiene measures and recommended that high-risk groups stay away from crowded environments.
ALARM WAS GIVEN IN ENGLAND
Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Birmingham University Hospitals have become the latest NHS agencies to declare a “critical situation” due to “extraordinarily high demand” for emergency services. Patients were warned to use alternative health services.
Royal Liverpool University Hospital Medical Director Oliver Zuzan said in a statement that doctors are working hard to treat patients as quickly as possible, but some people will have to wait longer because the most urgent patients are prioritized.
“If your condition is not an emergency, consider using other services such as your family doctor, local pharmacy or outpatient centers,” Zuzan says. he said.
There was also a warning on the website of Birmingham University Hospitals that emergency services are currently “very busy”.
Hampshire Hospitals and Plymouth University Hospitals also declared a critical situation with similar warnings, drawing attention to the increasing pressure on emergency services.
Health officials in the Surrey region also announced that all hospitals in the region were under “serious pressure”.
North Bristol Hospital also reported that there was a significant increase in flu and respiratory diseases, especially as of this month.
GREAT PRESSURE ON THE HEALTH SYSTEM
In the statement made by the NHS last week, it was announced that the number of patients hospitalized due to flu increased fourfold, reaching over 5 thousand before the New Year.
In the statement, it was stated that while there were 4 thousand 102 flu patients in hospitals on Christmas Day, this number increased by approximately 25 percent to 5 thousand 74 as of December 29.
British Health Minister Wes Streeting said: “The number of patients hospitalized with flu this winter has tripled compared to last year, putting great pressure on the NHS.” He used the expression.