2023-12-20 11:01:48
Will covid come to invite itself again to the end of year celebrations? Questioned by MP Françoise Kemp (CSV) on the health situation, Martine Deprez (CSV) confirmed the increase in cases of covid, but also of flu and bronchiolitis in recent weeks.
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Sharp increase in cases of flu and covid-19
The Minister of Health recalled the latest information published by LIST. For the week of December 4, 658 positive covid cases were recorded compared to 319 cases two weeks previously. Infections have therefore doubled in two weeks.
Covid-19 cases have doubled in the space of a month. © PHOTO: Sante.lu
Concerning the flu, 134 people caught the flu in early December. Cases have tripled since the week of November 20.
Very intense circulation of the virus in France and Belgium
In France, the Covid-19 epidemic is on an upward slope, with “a new, highly transmissible version of the virus” which is progressing, a few days before the holidays. In one month, contaminations have almost doubled. Figures which, however, remain much lower than those observed last year. But it is also true that far fewer tests are being carried out now than in previous years.
“Since the start of the pandemic, waves have occurred approximately every four months, mainly as a result of a drop in population immunity”, to which is added “the predictable winter resurgence, with the drop in external temperatures and more time spent indoors, where viral transmissions are facilitated,” infectious disease specialist Xavier Lescure, member of Covars (committee for monitoring and anticipation of health risks), told AFP.
In Belgium also, Covid-19 infections are exploding. The Sciensano Health Institute noted an “alarming” situation for 19 regions of the country by analyzing wastewater. An analysis which shows a strong circulation of the virus currently. However, no measures will be taken in the coming days to stem the rapid spread of covid-19.
Call to maintain barrier gestures
The latter assured that the situation in the four hospital centers remained “normal for this season”. “There is no recorded upsurge. But that does not mean that we must not remain vigilant, hence my call to maintain barrier gestures,” launched Martine Deprez.
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“The Health Department has therefore made a major appeal again to get vaccinated. Recommendations for different categories of the population are still available on the Health website.
Flu cases have tripled compared to a month ago. © PHOTO: Sante.lu
Martine Deprez also indicated that in agreement with the health director, the teleconsultations set up during the Covid period will continue until June 2024 – and not until December 31, 2023 as initially planned. This will be done “until we are ready to definitively include telemedicine in the nomenclature,” said the minister.
Flu: the “pre-epidemic” alert level triggered in the Grand Est
Just like covid-19, the flu virus is actively circulating at the moment not only in Luxembourg but also elsewhere in the Greater Region. In the Grand Est region of France, the virus seems to have already taken hold. It has already been two weeks since the region was placed in “pre-epidemic” alert level, report our colleagues from Républicain Lorrain. This, however, is not unusual since last year, the epidemic phase was triggered at the end of November. Since November 20, the proportion of consultations for “flu” has been continuously increasing.
In a context of hospital tension linked to bronchiolitis and cases of flu and covid-19 which are increasing in number, the decision was made to trigger the white plan in Alsatian hospitals.
On the Belgian side, the analysis of wastewater also shows an increase in the number of concentrations of the classic flu virus, also called influenza A. But nothing abnormal, confided the head of the Flemish laboratory in charge of these analyzes . “We think that the flu season is starting slowly,” she explained to the Belga agency.
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