Corfu Hospital pulmonary clinic completely full
Corfu Hospital
12 Jan 2023
/ 15:41
CORFU. Spike in infections in adults and children. Increase in visits to the hospital outpatient department.
The seasonal viruses and flu have hit both adults and children and the number of visits to the hospital outpatients department has been increasing and the pulmonary clinic is over 100% full of patients with lower respiratory infections.
The pulmonary clinic has been under heavy pressure since last week. According to medical staff, there were 35 patients hospitalised there yesterday, including cases of flu, whereas the maximum capacity is for 31 (113% occupancy).
There have been large numbers of hospitalisations over the past ten days although, health personnel say that it is not too unusual for them to be under great pressure at this time of year.
Paediatric Clinic
There is also a large number of hospitalisations in the Paediatric Clinic with respiratory and flu infections. Up to now, however, there have been no cases that need to be transferred out of Corfu for care at a higher level hospital.
There were 11 hospitalisations yesterday and over the Christmas period 18 paediatric beds were occupied.
Respiratory infections have affected those of all ages - from days-old infants to children aged 16.
"It can be seen nationwide that flu cases are at higher levels compared to other years pre-Covid and there has also been a big spike in other infections," Epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos told Enimerosi. "We expect the situation to peak at the end of January or beginning of February. There has also been a spike in children's infections. Parents are concerned and there has been an increase in the number of visits to hospital outpatient departments. The situation needs to be dealt with calmly by all."
Yiannis Alamanos said that due to increased precautions over the last two years our contact with viruses was limited resulting in the weakening of our immune system, which, in turn has led to greater vulnerability to infections and flu.
Low numbers of flu vaccinations
In addition to the above, there has also been a low number of people getting flu vaccinations. Corfu Pharmaceutical Association Vice-President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi that, despite the fact that the procedure has been greatly simplified and a doctor's prescription is not required, there has not been the expected response.
"There are sufficient vaccines as, for the first time, we have received 95% of our pre-orders but the stock remains in our freezers," he said.
He added, however, that there is still a general shortage in supplies of medicine and the only available children's antibiotic in liquid form is Cefaclor. "The antibiotic Clarithromycin is no longer available at all and nor are inhalation corticosteroids," added Mr. Stamatakos.
School absences
There were a lot of absences from Corfu schools on the first day back after the Christmas holidays. According to Ionian Islands Director of Education Petros Aggelopoulos, 7.5% of primary school pupils were absent on Monday 9 January and 17% of secondary pupils!
"We don't know if they were absent because of flu or some other virus or whether they didn't come for precautionary reasons," Mr. Aggelopoulos told Enimerosi.
According to the circular from the Ministry of Education, pupils are allowed up to five working days absence for flu on the condition that they produce a medical certificate from the hospital or a doctor.
The pulmonary clinic has been under heavy pressure since last week. According to medical staff, there were 35 patients hospitalised there yesterday, including cases of flu, whereas the maximum capacity is for 31 (113% occupancy).
There have been large numbers of hospitalisations over the past ten days although, health personnel say that it is not too unusual for them to be under great pressure at this time of year.
Paediatric Clinic
There is also a large number of hospitalisations in the Paediatric Clinic with respiratory and flu infections. Up to now, however, there have been no cases that need to be transferred out of Corfu for care at a higher level hospital.
There were 11 hospitalisations yesterday and over the Christmas period 18 paediatric beds were occupied.
Respiratory infections have affected those of all ages - from days-old infants to children aged 16.
"It can be seen nationwide that flu cases are at higher levels compared to other years pre-Covid and there has also been a big spike in other infections," Epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos told Enimerosi. "We expect the situation to peak at the end of January or beginning of February. There has also been a spike in children's infections. Parents are concerned and there has been an increase in the number of visits to hospital outpatient departments. The situation needs to be dealt with calmly by all."
Yiannis Alamanos said that due to increased precautions over the last two years our contact with viruses was limited resulting in the weakening of our immune system, which, in turn has led to greater vulnerability to infections and flu.
Low numbers of flu vaccinations
In addition to the above, there has also been a low number of people getting flu vaccinations. Corfu Pharmaceutical Association Vice-President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi that, despite the fact that the procedure has been greatly simplified and a doctor's prescription is not required, there has not been the expected response.
"There are sufficient vaccines as, for the first time, we have received 95% of our pre-orders but the stock remains in our freezers," he said.
He added, however, that there is still a general shortage in supplies of medicine and the only available children's antibiotic in liquid form is Cefaclor. "The antibiotic Clarithromycin is no longer available at all and nor are inhalation corticosteroids," added Mr. Stamatakos.
School absences
There were a lot of absences from Corfu schools on the first day back after the Christmas holidays. According to Ionian Islands Director of Education Petros Aggelopoulos, 7.5% of primary school pupils were absent on Monday 9 January and 17% of secondary pupils!
"We don't know if they were absent because of flu or some other virus or whether they didn't come for precautionary reasons," Mr. Aggelopoulos told Enimerosi.
According to the circular from the Ministry of Education, pupils are allowed up to five working days absence for flu on the condition that they produce a medical certificate from the hospital or a doctor.
