Health Minister Alexandru Rafila announced on Thursday a „record” number of cases of viral respiratory infections and influenza, which exceeded 170,000, between January 27 and February 2.

„We are still on the same upward trend in terms of viral respiratory infections and flu cases. I’d say this is a record level. There are over 170,000 cases reported in Romania in the January 27 – February 2 reporting week. Reporting is done on Thursday, for the previous week. The large number of viral respiratory infections has been doubled by a large number of clinically diagnosed influenza cases, no less than 12,500 nationwide. This, as I have mentioned in recent weeks, has led to the mobilisation of resources at the level of the public health directorates and implicitly of the health units that are located in the counties of the country,” the minister said told a news conference at the Government House.

He added that on Thursday the list of centres where patients with viral respiratory infections can show up was published. On the website of the Ministry of Health and on the websites of the Public Health Directorates can be found the list of these centres, which will offer investigations, a diagnosis specification, as well as outpatient treatment. More serious cases, which require hospitalisation, will be referred to hospitals. There are a total number of 300 such around-the-clock centres or specialist outpatient centres nationwide.

„The recommendation is that any respiratory viral infection should generate a preventive behaviour on the part of each of us. First of all, we contact the family doctor. In case of worsening health or the appearance of worrying symptoms, the recommendation is to go to a round-the-clock centre or in the outpatient wards of hospitals in Romania.”

Rafila mentioned some „less happy” experiences in other countries, where the emergency rooms and emergency units of hospitals were simply blocked by patients with respiratory viral infections. He said that the ministry’s objective is to ensure as many places as possible where patients can receive medical care.

The minister recommended avoiding crowds, and the use of masks by people who have symptoms of respiratory infections.

„The flu vaccination has so far covered about 1,150,000 people who have been uploaded to the National Vaccination Registry, but it has certainly been more extensive, significant, because 1.7 million doses of vaccine have been sold through pharmacies. It is a total figure very similar to what happened in previous years. But in order to be able to prevent an epidemic spread of influenza to a much better extent, we should be able to vaccinate about double, about 3.4 – 3.5 million people in the categories that are at risk.”

The number of acute respiratory infection cases – clinical flu, acute upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia in Romania for the week of January 27 – February 2, is standing at 172,877, with 13 new deaths from the influenza virus being reported.

The number of people who have died from the flu this season has reached 35.

AGERPRES