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Health authorities have once again recommended the use of masks in all healthcare centres in the region. Eduardo Manzana / Europa Press
Flu Infections Continue Unstoppable Rise, Reaching New Peak: 15% Increase in One Week

Flu Infections Continue Unstoppable Rise, Reaching New Peak: 15% Increase in One Week

Respiratory infection rates surpass 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for the first time this season

Pau Sellés

Alicante

Miércoles, 15 de enero 2025, 17:46

Respiratory infections continue their upward trend in Alicante and the rest of the region, setting a new peak since autumn began. Following the latest update from the Acute Respiratory Infections Surveillance System (SIVIRA-CV), flu infection rates have risen by 15%, reaching 197.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In contrast, the other two infections monitored by this system have seen a decrease: the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rate has dropped to 103 cases, and COVID-19 to 24.

The incidence of acute respiratory infections (the overall rate of the three viruses analysed) also peaked in the second week of the year (from 6th to 12th January), reaching 1,981.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This represents a 70% increase compared to the national average of 639 cases (although this figure corresponds to the previous week, as indicated by the SIVIRA-CV bulletin). During the current campaign, the peak of infections was 995 per 100,000 inhabitants, recorded during the penultimate week of last year.

Elche-Crevillent, the most affected area

By age group, the most affected by ARI are children under 4 years, with 2,587 infections per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by 1,168 among those over 65.

By health departments, all located in the province of Alicante have an ARI incidence of between 1,000 and 1,200 cases, except for the Elche-Crevillente health department, where the rate is between 1,200 and 1,400 cases.

Return of mask usage

Recall that the rise of respiratory viruses has led the Health Department to recommend the use of masks in all healthcare centres in the region for several days now. Additionally, the President of the Generalitat assured a few days ago that further preventive measures would be taken if infections continued to rise.

Meanwhile, Health continues to recommend vaccination against flu as "a cornerstone" of the preventive strategy. In this regard, they remind that health centres have been vaccinating against flu and COVID-19 since 4th November without the need for an appointment.

Health centres across the province have been vaccinating against flu and COVID-19 without the need for an appointment since 4th November

Among the recommendations are also maintaining good hand hygiene, with soap and water or using hand sanitiser, wearing masks for the most vulnerable people and all those with any respiratory symptoms, even without a positive test confirmation.

Similarly, in case of any symptoms, it is advised to avoid crowded places and social contacts where masks cannot be used, as well as cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door and window handles) with soap and water or disinfectant products, as explained by Health authorities.

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todoalicante Flu Infections Continue Unstoppable Rise, Reaching New Peak: 15% Increase in One Week