The Ministry of Health prepared for the increase in respiratory viruses and the drop in temperatures in Navarra

As December arrives and temperatures drop, the number of respiratory virus infections begins to rise in Navarra, especially among children and vulnerable groups. To this end, the Ministry of Health has implemented various plans and procedures that allow health centers to prepare to deal with the increase in the number of registered patients.

According to data published in the latest epidemiological surveillance report carried out by the Institute of Public and Occupational Health of Navarra from November 20 to 26, a large number of consultations for acute respiratory infections were recorded in primary care. The rate was 714 cases per 100,000 population, of which 25 per 100,000 were linked to influenza syndrome and 25 per 100,000 were linked to Covid. In addition, an increase in respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus has been reported. In this sense, residents are required to use emergency services responsibly.

In the influenza and Covid vaccination campaign, provisional coverage was 60 and 51%, respectively, in the 60 and over group.

Emergency plans prepared

This increase in respiratory viruses is already having its first consequences in the Navarrese Health Service – Osasonpedia, both in hospitals and in primary care, especially among children whose attendance at emergencies and consultations has increased in the last two weeks. For this reason, Primary Care, the University Hospital of Navarra in Pamplona, ​​the Reina Sofía Hospital in Tudela and the Hospital García Urquín in Estela have prepared emergency plans for the winter. Plans that have not yet been activated, except for the HUN Winter Plan in Pediatrics.

These plans entail strengthening staff, especially in emergency situations in hospitals and outside hospitals, and increasing the resources available for care, in the case of hospitals, and admission beds in certain units.

Last week, the Hospital University of Navarra (HUN) began to reinforce the staff in its pediatric emergency room, where 180 visits are reached daily. This plan includes enhancing the availability of specialists to care for patients in emergency and hospitalization situations. Availability is also increased from 39 to 43 beds on the 4th floor of the Maternity Department and beds are arranged with the University of Navarra Clinic (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Admissions) if necessary.

From health, residents are asked to take responsibility for emergency use. Most of the usual care can be delayed, because in the emergency rooms of Navarrese Hospitals, patients are classified according to the clinical criterion of urgent need for care, and in addition, they can prevent time-dependent diseases from being properly treated (such as stroke, heart attack or polytrauma, from Among many other things).

It is also recommended that all users and patients visiting any health center with respiratory symptoms wear a mask in common rooms, especially waiting rooms.

Vaccination campaign against coronavirus and influenza

Today, December 1, the vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19 that began in mid-October, two diseases with the highest infection rates in the cold season, ends. This year, as a new matter, influenza vaccination is included for minors between the ages of 6 and 59 months.

As of November 29, 140,406 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered. Coverage in the category of people over 60 years of age is 60%; In the group over 65, 67%, and in the group over 75%, 75%. In the case of the population under 5 years of age, the influenza vaccine coverage rate is 11.97%. For its part, the Covid vaccine reaches coverage of 52% of the group over 60 years old, 59% of the group over 65 years old, and 67% of the group over 75 years old.

Although the campaign has been completed, Health has sent SMS messages to residents aged 60 and over who have not received either vaccine, and all people who are part of the risk groups are encouraged to request an appointment at a primary care center to get vaccinated. The Ministry of Health reminds us that vaccination is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates from influenza and COVID-19, especially among the most vulnerable groups of people, because it more effectively prevents the development of more severe forms of both diseases.

The cold plan in Navarra

For its part, the Ministry of Health approved the National Plan for Preventive Measures for Low Temperatures 2023-2024, which was activated today, December 1, and will be in effect until March 31. This is a plan included in the framework of the Strategic Plan for Health and Environment (PESMA) that aims to reduce the impact on the health of the population associated with low temperatures and is implemented at provincial level by the Public Health Institute and the workers of Navarra. .

The National Plan for Preventive Measures Due to Low Temperatures describes that extreme cold negatively affects health, whether directly or indirectly. This plan specifies prevention and control measures, divided into several levels of action according to the risks achieved as a result of the drop in temperatures. However, the effects of low temperatures do not usually occur as sharply and suddenly as those of high temperatures, and the plan indicates that cold is an environmental risk factor that must be taken into account and that its health effects may be greater. One of those with extreme heat.

The temperature set for Navarra within the plan is -3.7°C, and the reference station is Nuin Airport. The plan specifies three warning levels, and these levels are implemented by the Ministry of Health with a specific methodology that relies as a reference on forecasting the minimum temperature for a period of three days.

To avoid the most common danger situations associated with cold, it is advisable to protect the most vulnerable people such as the homeless and those in poverty or low economic status, especially when this manifests itself in the form of energy poverty, also such as migrants in precarious situations; People who work outdoors; the elderly; People who suffer from some chronic diseases. pregnant women. Newborns and infants. People taking medications that can enhance cold-related symptoms; People who suffer from difficulty moving, malnutrition, physical exhaustion, or cases of alcohol poisoning; Or those who exercise outdoors.

To this end, all relevant regions of the Government of Navarre are developing their own programs and action plans to combat the consequences of the cold. Moreover, the committee will meet in the coming days with the participating departments and entities, as in previous campaigns, to coordinate the measures that will be implemented this season.