during the epidemiological week 16, which includes the period from April 13 to 19, there is an increase in respiratory emergency consultations in the Regional Assistance Network.
Of the total emergency consultations registered in adults, 17% corresponds to respiratory causes, which represents a slight decrease with respect to the previous week. While pediatric emergency consultations, 38% correspond to respiratory causes, showing an increase with respect to the previous week where 35% were recorded for this group.
Regarding the percentage of attention due to respiratory causes, with respect to the total emergency care in children under 15, in the province of Malleco it remains 45% compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, in the province of Cautín, there is also a slight rise in emergency consultations from 34% to 36%.
According to data published by ISP, provided by the HHHA Laboratory of Temuco and the Sentinel centers of the respiratory virus surveillance network, 136 sampled cases were recorded, of which 56 were positive for respiratory viruses, which represents a global positivity of 41%; Being viruses with greater circulation and affectation during the week of study the rinovirus with 35%, influenza A with 32%and adenovirus with 13%.
It is important to highlight the prevalence of circulation of the influenza A virus during the last week and affectation in hospitalizations in over 60 years due to severe acute respiratory infections in our region.
This is why we reiterate that the moment to get vaccinated against influenza is now, and we reiterate the call to risk groups, especially those over 60, to come to the nearest vaccination. This weekend will be enabled 35 vaccination points in the region which can be checked in detail on the social networks of the health seremi.
Regarding the progress of the influenza vaccination campaign to April 25 in the region we have a total of 55.1% progress in coverage; where the province of Malleco reaches 60.1% and the province of Cautín 54.1%.
The communes that have the greatest coverage are the Sauces, Toltén, Lonquimay and Galvarino; While the communes that record lower coverage of influenza vaccination are Cunco, Teodoro Schmidt, Chol Chol and Temuco.
Together with vaccination it is important to maintain self -care measures: use mask before respiratory disease symptoms; Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; cover mouth and nose with the forearm when coughing and sneezing; Frequently ventilate closed spaces and if your son or daughter has respiratory symptoms avoid sending them to school or garden.
