High levels of influenza continue to be recorded on the Island, so the Secretary of Health, Víctor Ramos Otero, said he was sure that an epidemic could be declared by the end of January.
“Certainly, we reached six weeks and the criteria will be met” to declare the epidemic, the official reiterated in an interview with First Hour.
He explained that the week of December 7 to 13, whose report was published on December 19, corresponds to the first week of surveillance in which influenza numbers skyrocketed. The report for the second week of growth is expected to be issued next Tuesday.
For this reason, the official called on anyone who feels sick not to go to Christmas parties, work or any other activity in which they are in contact with other people. In addition, he asked anyone who goes to a clinic, hospital or health center to wear a mask to avoid contagion.
“It is increasing and on these Christmas days we have the situation where fewer tests are reported, because there are a lot of laboratories closed. People, if they feel very bad, go to the hospital, but it is not a report with all the laboratories open” that the agency will issue, he explained.
He said that during this festive period they would give more attention to hospitalizations.
According to the BioData portal of the Department of Health, from November 26 to December 26, 430 hospitalizations due to influenza were recorded.
The hospitalization data also highlights that for the week of November 16 to 22 there were 88 hospitalizations, when the first week that recorded the increase stood out for 184.
Meanwhile, the portal states that from December 18 to December 25, 176 cases of this virus were registered.
The secretary explained that when people feel sick, cannot find a laboratory and are not serious enough to go to a hospital, “they probably resort to home tests.”
However, the president of the College of Medical Technologists, Lina García, stressed that it is better for people who believe they are sick to try to get a laboratory. He recommended calling those in your area, since many will open Saturday and also Sunday.
“What we are doing is guiding the community. Yes, there are home tests, but the medical technologist is a fundamental piece in the health system,” said the expert.
He said that the most important thing about going to the laboratory is that Health will have more accurate information, since the results obtained in the laboratories are reported to the state to compile epidemiological statistics.
“Getting tested early will be significant in the patient’s prognosis… Detecting the condition in time is super important for the patient and for epidemiology. In this way, the government can decipher the towns and areas with the highest incidence and strengthen its initiatives,” García indicated.
The official commented that one of the initiatives she has under her presidency is to make a digital map of the laboratories that will help the patient detect the ones closest to them and know if they are open or not.
Influenza, which is transmitted by air droplets released when coughing, sneezing or talking, “is always stronger than a cold,” described the Secretary of Health.
He indicated that it can cause fever, discomfort, respiratory distress, as well as in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. He explained that young children can show signs of dehydration.
The pediatrician insisted that the most important measure that should be taken to avoid influenza infections is to “cut the chain of contagion.” For this reason, he asked not to expose himself to other people.
It is also recommended to wear a mask and wash your hands.
“Important, if you are sick, do not go to activity, because you will infect other people,” he stressed. “Go to the doctor who will diagnose what you have, give the necessary treatment and isolation, if applicable,” he said.
He also called on parents of infants six months and older and caregivers of these children to get vaccinated.
