If the figures related to Covid are not alarming, those corresponding to the flu and respiratory diseases combined with Covid are not encouraging either. And the problem is that some hospitals are overwhelmed with these diseases.
Following this report, Steven Van Gucht warns at the microphone of VTM. “The hospitals are very busy because we have a triple problem. There are a lot of coronaviruses, the flu virus is on the rise and there is also still a lot of bronchiolitis. Some hospitals are under pressure, but in itself the situation remains manageable. There are more people than usual, but given the season, it’s not exceptional. We can observe the first signs of a Covid slowdown which could still calm down a bit in the next two weeks. This is therefore already good news and we hope that it will be the same for bronchiolitis. But the flu virus is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. »
To guard against a disease, there is therefore no secret: “It is particularly important to pay particular attention to people with fragile health: grandparents, great-grandparents or a person suffering from a chronic illness. »
For this, the ventilation of the rooms remains the key. But Steven Van Gucht goes further: “If necessary, wear a mask if you approach people with fragile health. And if you have symptoms don’t kiss, and keep your distance. »
The virologist would like to point out that the flu vaccine is also a good way to protect against it and that it is not too late to do so. “If you belong to a high-risk group, I even strongly recommend it,” he concludes.