Mask requirement in the Delme Clinic: Protected against flu and COVID-19!

Mask requirement in the Delme Clinic: Protected against flu and COVID-19!

Recently the situation at the Delme Clinic in Delmenhorst has become more serious. Due to the high number of patients with virus-related respiratory diseases, the facility has introduced a mask requirement in two wards. 14 patients are currently being treated there, including 13 with influenza and one person with COVID-19. This measure is intended to help prevent the viruses from spreading further. Managing Director Christian Peters emphasizes the importance of using masks to avoid infections and a mask recommendation is made for employees and visitors in other areas of the clinic. Despite the high capacity utilization, medical care is still guaranteed.

In recent weeks, the burden on hospitals due to colds and flu has increased significantly. In the first calendar week of the year in particular, around five million people in Germany reported acute respiratory illnesses. The ongoing flu epidemic, which typically peaks in January or February, suggests that more than 40 percent of these illnesses are due to influenza viruses. The ECDC also warns of a more severe flu season in Europe, not least due to the new K variant of the influenza virus.

A worrying trend

While flu cases are rising in Germany, reports indicate that around 800,000 flu cases were registered in Italy within a week. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) states that acute respiratory infections are often caused by various viruses, including influenza. Many people believe that a flu infection is the same illness as influenza, but there are serious differences. Symptoms such as a runny nose, cough and sore throat are usually mild and occur due to numerous pathogens, whereas influenza is characterized by a sudden fever and a strong feeling of illness.

An important detail that is often overlooked: The flu season extends from the 40th calendar week to the 20th calendar week of the following year, which means that winter is the main period for the spread of influenza. The actual number of cases of the disease is often under-reported because not every patient sees a doctor, which leads to an underestimation of the number of infections. Therefore, thorough observation and actual recording of cases of illness is essential.

Vaccinations and recommendations

Vaccines are available to combat influenza and can prevent complications such as pneumonia, particularly in older, chronically ill or immunocompromised people. Although there are no vaccinations against most cold viruses, an RSV vaccination has been approved for older people since 2023, while RSV prophylaxis for newborns and infants has been recommended from 2024.

Visitors to the Delme Clinic can come daily from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., although special visiting times apply by arrangement for relatives of patients in the intensive care unit. With a slightly more tense situation and a high number of cold-related cases, population health remains an important issue. So if you haven't yet been vaccinated against seasonal influenza, you may want to make an appointment to protect yourself and others.

Overall, it shows that, despite the challenges presented by the flu epidemic and cold viruses, we should always act vigilantly and prudently in order to protect both ourselves and the health-vulnerable groups in our society. Information on current respiratory viruses can also be found on the RKI website, which regularly publishes reports on influenza activity.