Ibiza is no longer the island with the highest incidence of influenza in the Balearic Islands and now registers 87.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Health for the week of December 15 to 21.
The figure represents a significant reduction compared to ten days ago, when the island was the most affected of the archipelago, with 103.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. With the new update, Ibiza is below Mallorca -which now leads the incidence- and also at similar levels to Menorca.
The Minister of Health of the Balearic Government, Manuela Garcia, said Monday that the situation in Balearic hospitals is “controlled” despite the “small” increase in cases in the whole of the archipelago, which has gone from 75 to 89 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last week analyzed.
Mallorca, the most affected
By islands, Mallorca has the highest incidence, with 90.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It is followed by Ibiza (87.7) and Menorca (78.3), while Formentera registers the lowest level, with 51.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Garcia, during a visit to the Son Llàtzer Hospital, ruled out that there have been collapses and stressed that the hospital centers have functioned “normally” during the Christmas holidays.
Peak could arrive after Reyes
Asked when the peak of contagions could be reached, the minister acknowledged that “there is still some way to go” to reach the zenith and pointed out that it could occur after Epiphany.
In addition, he warned that at this time of year not only infectious diseases such as influenza increase, but also other pathologies such as stroke or cardiovascular problems, which increases the pressure on the emergency department.
Contingency plan activated: up to 215 beds
To cope with the increase in admissions and the arrival of more patients to the emergency room, IbSalut maintains a contingency plan that provides for the activation of up to 215 hospital beds. Since Monday, 15 beds have been opened in the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Palma and 10 in Inca, in addition to others enabled in recent weeks.
Health maintains that the archipelago remains in stage I of the state protocol for the control of infectious diseases and, for the moment, “there is no emergency pressure”.
Recommendations: mask and vaccination
The councilor has again recommended that people with respiratory symptoms wear a mask, especially in vulnerable or crowded environments, in addition to ventilate enclosed spaces and go to vaccination.
