The Xunta will take measures starting this Friday due to the proximity of the peak of the flu. Thus, the Galician Health Service (Sergas) will postpone non-priority activities and, for at least 15 days, will recommend the use of masks in general for all its centers, both hospitals and Primary Care.
This was announced by the Minister of Health, Julio García Comesaña, in a joint press conference with the general director of Public Health, Carmen Durán Parrondo, and the general director of Health Assistance, Jorge Aboal, to assess the situation of the wave of respiratory infections and emergency situations.
Those responsible for Sergas have explained that emergency attendance has increased by 8 percent in the month of December of this year - from 2,500 in 2022 to 2,700 this year - and, given the possibility of being at the peak of the flu or about to arrive, measures have been taken.
Apart from the general recommendation of masks - not mandatory -, which will come into force at 3:00 p.m. this Friday, contingency plans have been activated in hospitals with the hiring of personnel, including doctors and nurses , and the provision of a total of 80 beds in all health areas except Lugo.
The increase in flu and covid-19 cases during Christmas week (December 18-25) has translated into an increase in sales of antigen tests in pharmacies in all communities, which have tripled compared to the first week of December and have exceeded one million units.
According to data from the consulting firm IQVIA, in November sales of antigen tests were around 300,000 units, but they began to skyrocket during the December long weekend, and 500,000 tests were dispensed in the week of December 11.
On the other hand, compared to the figures for the same period last year, there has been a 20% decrease in sales of antigen tests in pharmacies, which reflects, according to the document, "a behavior that is more accustomed to living with the virus by the population and a perception of the disease as less lethal".
