The flu epidemic is not over yet. The number of cases at GPs even increased slightly last week. Because the corona virus is also making the rounds, the number of absences from the workplace is remarkably high.
The weekly incidence of GP consultations with confirmed flu infection has risen to 155 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. This is still above the epidemic threshold of 52 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants, according to Sciensano’s flu report. A week earlier, the incidence was 110/100,000.
The peak during the current flu season for confirmed flu infections dates from the end of last year, with 424 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. The number of people who consulted a GP for flu-like symptoms also increased slightly last week (465/100,000). The number of hospital admissions for flu remained stable last week (0.7 in 100,000).
‘Wear a mouth mask’
The mix of colds, flu and coronaviruses that are currently doing the rounds has an impact on short-term absenteeism. Short-term absence refers to an absence from the workplace that lasts less than 30 days. ‘Traditionally, we see the highest short-term absenteeism in February and March, together with October and November,’ says professor of occupational medicine Lode Godderis (KU Leuven). ‘Compared to other years, however, short-term absenteeism in 2022 was remarkably higher.’
Godderis still advises people if they experience symptoms to practice “good basic hygiene, with adequate hand washing and adequate ventilation.” According to the professor, anyone who is in a busy place where ventilation is not possible should wear a mouth mask. “Do this mainly to protect other people.”
Most corona in care
The healthcare sector now has the highest number of infections with the corona virus. This is evident from the latest report by Godderis (KU Leuven-Idewe), which compares the number of infections in the various sectors of society. The average incidence in the working population is 76. In two weeks that figure has increased by 124 percent, but in absolute figures 76 remains low. The incidence in the working population is also 22 percent lower than that in the general population, which stands at 98.
• Lowest number of covid patients in intensive care since summer 2020
The healthcare sector, as usual, has the highest number of infections. In general hospitals, the incidence is 165, residential care centers register an incidence of 157, and psychiatric hospitals fail at 127. Other sectors, such as education, often follow the trend of the general population.
According to Godderis, the figures are an underestimate of the real numbers, because people do not always get tested anymore. Moreover, self-tests are not included in the figures. ‘In the healthcare sector, we know that testing is done faster and more often,’ says Godderis. ‘This is another reason why care is always at the top of the list.’
