2023-12-21 19:00:01
The mask is back at Amiens University Hospital and this is not only due to the increase in COVID cases, but also to bronchiolitis and influenza, which are in an epidemic phase in Hauts-de-France.
Faced with the increase in cases of winter viruses, the health monitoring unit of the Amiens University Hospital has decided that the surgical mask is once once more compulsory within the walls of this hospital. A measure which should not overshadow other means of preventing seasonal epidemics.
Masked even in his office, Jean-Philippe Lanoix, head of the infectious and tropical diseases department at the Amiens University Hospital, comments on this decision: “We decided to put the mask back on because the various winter viruses are increasing, at the national level, but particularly in Hauts-de-France.”
Since October, the bronchiolitis epidemic has put certain departments at Amiens University Hospital under pressure and the situation does not seem to be improving.
“This winter’s epidemic began with RSV, the bronchiolitis virus which affects children, but also the elderly who can have relatively severe pathologies with this virus.continues Dr. Lanoix. There, we are in an epidemic phase with high numbers in the population. Now comes the flu, which is in an epidemic phase in all eastern regions and which is arriving here in Hauts-de-France. Last week, we were in the pre-epidemic with a 10% test positivity rate, we should reach the epidemic phase very quickly.“
“We should reach the epidemic phase very quickly” as far as the flu is concerned, predicts Dr. Jean-Philippe Lanoix of Amiens University Hospital. • © Dounia Sirri / FTV
COVID also remains present and is increasing in the eastern regions, while the positivity rate of tests carried out nationally by SOS doctor remains at 20%, according to Dr Lanoix.
The upcoming festive period risks making the phenomenon worse if people with symptoms do not take appropriate measures. “If you have symptoms, you must wear a maskinsists Jean-Philippe Lanoix. Gone are the days when when you had a runny nose, you would say “oh, it’s just a cold.” You have to wear a mask because it might be COVID, it might be RSV, it might be the flu.”
Diseases that can cause very serious complications, especially in children and the elderly.
“The advice we give to everyone is “vaccinate yourself”, because it is still the best protection, it protects once morest serious forms and the circulation of the three viruses. Especially for older people who have a lot of complications, vaccines protect not only from viruses, but also from complications such as myocardial infarction, for example.” concludes Jean-Philippe Lanoix.
As for the mask obligation at Amiens University Hospital, it concerns all people, whether or not they have symptoms.
With Noélie Mesange / FTV
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