Winter campaign: more facilities, conversion of beds and reinforcement of PHC, part of the measures promoted by MINSAL.
Faced with the rise in cases of the respiratory virus, which is now at 2,296, figures higher than 2022, in the same period between May 14 and 20, where 1,026 cases were registered, the health authorities reported on the operation of the public network. and winter plans of war.
Minister of Health Andreas Albagli said “we have seen this increase for the time being sustained and continued, with an overall rise in the last four weeks, which means that we are today with increased viral circulation” compared to this day. last year and to the pre-pandemic years, “says the authority.”
Currently, the main circulating virus corresponds to respiratory syncytial virus with 46% of positive cases; followed by influenza, with 30% of positive cases; and adenovirus, with 10%.
Faced with this scenario, the Ministry of Health has worked to prepare the public network and for this reason, the health services have a larger financial framework this year than in the years before the pandemic: 37 billion pesos have been invested for them. support strategies in the pediatric area.
Assistant Secretary of Networks Fernando Araos said “It is a supplement to winter strategies for health centers. Testing has grown from the laboratory, the greater use of imaging and research through examinations. He added “91 domestic hospitalization units to strengthen networks and convert all health services into beds, from adults to children, and make them more complex from low to medium and high complexity.”
With these, supported by authority, medical, professional and technical resources are strengthened; and for those regions which requested assistance, teams of Minales were deployed. Also, the hours of emergency assistance, the supply for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination have been expanded, and the availability of drugs and diagnostic capacity has been increased.
In addition, the guidance of the population in matters and areas of risk consultation is provided. In this sense, the undersecretary’s call to the population is to make good use of the network. “With regard to the health problem, the primary care of institutions such as Cesfam or SAPUbefore the hospital accident, since here the intervals are shorter. “You must be aware that the hospital is a case of a situation of obvious danger to the lives of people who require immediate attention,” said the authority.
Meanwhile, the undersecretary of Public Health Fernando González confirmed The best way to prevent it is vaccination. “The government of Chile has made a great effort to make vaccines against COVID-19 and influenza available to the whole community, throughout the country, at all points of vaccination throughout the country, and thanks to this effort we have managed to exceed 3.2 million. bivalent vaccine administrations and, especially the target population, over 60 years of age already 54% coverage” he asserted.
In relation to influenza, vaccinated people reach about 5 million, and the coverage reaches an average of 60% in the risk group.
The Minister of Health (s) reminded citizens of preventive measures such as: the use of a mask in case of respiratory symptoms or going to frequented places; they cover their mouth and nose with their arm if they cough; frequent hand washing and ventilation of enclosed spaces.
In addition, it is important to remember that, in the presence of symptoms of respiratory diseases or, if some control is required in this matter, it is available. Salud Answer, which can be accessed by calling 600 360 7777.
