The Balearic Islands has officially entered the epidemic phase of influenza after reaching an incidence of 37.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, as confirmed Thursday by the Minister of Health, Manuela Garcia, in an appearance before the media. The health official warned that the peak of contagions could coincide with the Christmas season, an unusual advance compared to other years.
García explained that this early increase in cases represents an advance of four weeks with respect to the usual records, a circumstance that has not occurred “for years” and whose causes are still unknown. This scenario forces the Conselleria to activate contingency plans in advance, which include the opening of additional hospital beds and the hiring of personnel to reinforce health care.
Mask and booster vaccination recommendation
In view of the increase in the circulation of the virus, the Regional Minister announced the recommendation to use masks for health personnel, people with symptoms compatible with respiratory infections and those in contact with elderly or vulnerable people. She recalled that this is a simple preventive measure that can help to reduce transmission at a time of special incidence.
García also called for a “massive” vaccination of the elderly, the group most affected by the complications derived from the flu. Health will carry out a re-evaluation of vaccination strategies with the aim of increasing coverage and protecting at-risk groups.
Preventive measures: Remembering what was learned during the pandemic
The councilor stressed that the flu virus is transmitted through the respiratory route, so she insisted on the importance of maintaining preventive habits that were already popularized during the covid-19 pandemic: frequent hand washing, ventilation of enclosed spaces and keeping a safe distance as far as possible.
“These are simple measures that help to contain transmission and should be kept in mind in view of the increase in cases,” he recalled.
