dAs of this Wednesday, January 31, the use of masks in hospitals and health centers is no longer mandatory, given the “very clear decline” in the epidemic curve. This was explained by the Director General of Public Health of the Government of Aragon, Nuria Gayan. This way, neither patients nor professionals will have to wear a mask in waiting rooms or during consultations. Although “he will continue to be recommended.”
“The recommendation,” Gayan noted, “is to comply with it, especially when we are going to visit a vulnerable person, when we have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, with common sense, as demonstrated by citizens who have it, but without obligations of any kind, taking into account epidemiological data and their evolution.”
In this regard, the Director-General of Public Health said that new data for the fourth week of 2024, the week ending last Sunday, January 28, shows that there has been a “very significant” decline in both acute respiratory infections and influenza. In particular, the incidence of acute respiratory infections decreased from 1071 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants to just over 850. The number of influenza diagnoses decreased from 231.5 to 125.3. “This is a very important decrease,” he noted, adding that “this marks the second week in a row that influenza cases have declined.”
This means, he said, that an order will be drawn up that will take effect as soon as it is published, “probably this Wednesday or very shortly,” according to which “the order of the councilor who had these obligations on wearing a mask for citizens, and also for specialists will cease to apply.” He also clarified that “the order of the Ministry of Health of January 10, which established that the reduction can no longer be applied for the second week in a row, will also cease to apply.”
Faced with a possible recovery, Gayan explained that “the flu curve usually doesn’t go through a big rise, when it goes down, it may have a small peak with a very small rise, and it is not common for a new peak to recur, which is quite important.” return to implement measures.” “Everything suggests that it will continue to decline, at least that’s how it always behaved until 2019, because between 2020 and 2022 there was almost no circulation of influenza viruses, and they cannot be compared,” he added . Based on the behavior of influenza in previous years, “everything seems to indicate that we will not have to renew additional measures,” he concluded.
Vaccination
The Director-General of Public Health also noted that vaccination coverage has increased this week to 59% of the population at risk. People who are not at risk have also been vaccinated, adding that they believe it is “good” that vaccination continues “as the desired coverage has not been achieved, which is the optimal set by health authorities at 75%.” compared to 59% achieved in Aragon.”
“Winter remains,” he noted, “and although the curve is declining, there are still infections and there are still cases of infection every day. It is important that we complete this vaccination campaign now, in the remaining weeks with the greatest response from citizens, because we have received a very good response in the last two weeks and we hope that this will not dissuade people from getting vaccinated because it is very important to achieve herd immunity.
In this regard, the CEO said that “a person who developed symptoms several weeks ago was asked to treat himself at home, especially if he was not at risk, and is now being asked to do the same because health centers are actually saying that they are are still overworked, although they note a decrease in the number of sick people due to illness.
People with acute respiratory illness, influenza, or another type of respiratory illness “are still advised not to go to a medical center or emergency room because this illness is primarily treated by staying home, staying well hydrated, and taking flu medications. that pharmacies sell or even a little paracetamol, and the point is not to infect others and stay at home,” said Gayan. In addition, he asked that “we also do not have to contact health services, where they will not be able to tell us any more and we will not make any more improvement.”