A step back for the flu wave in the country. No new areas have crossed the threshold of morbidity today, and along with this, restrictions are gradually being lifted in some regions. Thus, a flu epidemic has been declared in a total of 7 districts to date. But hospitals and schools are insisting on tightening the measures and allowing more students to go on flu vacation.
Data is very dynamic. As of today, the flu epidemic in Shumen is cancelled, and after meeting, the sabbath for influenza and acute respiratory infections in Varna decided that it is too early to announce such an epidemic in the district, since the number of infected people has not reached the necessary threshold. However, in Plovdiv, although an epidemic situation is already in effect, children remain in the classrooms, but principals insist that this change – as the number of sick among students is increasing. Two metropolitan hospitals, including the First City Hospital, insisted on declaring a flu epidemic in Sofia-city as well. However, the capital RZI replied that at the moment, for the first three days of this week, the number of sick people has reached 1,156 people per 10,000 population. For comparison, last week they were less, and the necessary threshold for declaring a flu epidemic in Sofia is 2,700 per 10,000 population.
On the first day of the flu epidemic in Plovdiv, the children continued to study in attendance. But absentees are increasing.
“The sick are increasing every day. Today it is almost 15%, we have 189 sick children and five colleagues. Yesterday there were 150”, said Elena Kisyova, director of “Chernorizets Hrabar” SU, Plovdiv.
And in order to stop the spread of the infection, the director of the secondary school “Chernorizets Hrabar” insists on stricter measures. “There should be some – maybe a small period, like in Burgas – in which the children are isolated and stay at home. Even preemptively, there should be such a moment – to announce a vacation”, emphasizes Kisyova.
There are also sick students and teachers in Varna. “Compared to last week, we only have 13% absentees, 4% of teachers are currently absent from schools,” says Tsonko Paunov, director of RZI-Varna.
And more – 70% of beds in hospitals are free. Therefore, there is no need to declare an influenza epidemic for the time being. “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – the morbidity compared to the previous week has decreased. When we reach about 200-220 per 10,000, we could, if other factors are available, declare an epidemic”, adds Paunov.
And if in Varna they are close to the threshold values, then in the capital there must be twice as many people suffering from the flu in order to declare an epidemic. But the pressure on hospitals is mounting.
“The number of sick people is increasing. Pneumonias are on the rise. The resuscitation beds are occupied, the wards are full, the pulmonology wards are full”, says Prof. Tsvetomir Dimitrov, executive director of the First Medical Center – Sofia.
“There are quite a few complications from the flu, which are manifested by pneumonia, severe pneumonia, which quite often occurs asymptomatically – the patient does not have a fever, but has severe pneumonia,” said Dr. Boril Petrov, director of the “Princess Clementina” Hospital.
Therefore, both multi-specialty hospitals appealed to the health authorities.
“Perhaps the experts on whom it depends should consider very carefully whether to declare an influenza epidemic,” points out doctor Petrov.
“Our opinion is “in favor” of such, because we are very busy at the moment,” said Dr. Dimitrov categorically.
