The care institutions of the Brussels Region and the Cocom invite the inhabitants of Brussels not to rush to the emergency room if they are affected by the many winter viruses which are currently circulating (influenza, respiratory syncytial virus) in addition to the coronavirus.
In a joint press release, the GIBBIS (the federation of care institutions in the public and private associative sectors of the Brussels-Capital Region) and the Cocom (Common Community Commission) ask the inhabitants of Brussels to act to “responsibly“and avoid going to the emergency room in case of”mild symptoms” (sore throat, mild fever, body aches).
“Do not go to a hospital emergency department first for these types of symptoms. These emergency services are reserved for the most serious cases and vital emergencies and in order to be able to function properly, they must be able to concentrate on the sickest people.“, indicates Dieter Goemaere, Director of General Hospitals at GIBBIS. It is rather recommended to consult a general practitioner, or even his pharmacist in the event of mild symptoms. Due to a lack of healthcare personnel, 349 hospital beds out of the 7230 in the capital are currently closed.The influx of patients with minor ailments unnecessarily overloads already stretched hospital services.
