Rising number of COVID-19 cases and respiratory infections

The number of people infected with COVID-19 is increasing. There is no pressure on hospitals so far. Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev on October 12 said that at this stage no tightening of anti-epidemic measures is necessary. He warned that there is a risk of a tough flu season this winter.

"It is difficult to make a forecast of what exactly the flu season will be like. When forecasters try to see what influenza might have in store, during the summer here, they look to countries in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is winter. This year, Australia had its worst flu season in five years. Which is understandable, because for 3 years people have not been exposed to various flu strains, the general immunity in the population is lower, so you can expect a bit more intense epidemic," said Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev.

People who get the flu vaccine every year say that if they get infected the symptoms are milder.

"The clinical picture is milder. They recover from the flu more easily," said Dr Stanislav Ivanov.

Virologists expect the Darwin strain to dominate this season in the country. It affects the youngest and oldest..

"Influenza very often gives complications in the form of pneumonia. And less often there are other complications affecting the central nervous system. Influenza is a very serious disease and should not be underestimated. Especially by the high risk groups, who are more likely to develop severe illness," said ProF. Neli Korsun - Head of the National Influenza Laboratory, NCIPD.

По данни на здравното министерство имунизацията срещу грип при хора в напреднала възраст намалява риска от тежко протичане и усложнения с до 60% и смъртните случаи с до 80%.

According to the Ministry of Health, influenza immunisation in the elderly reduces the risk of severe course and complications by up to 60% and deaths by up to 80%.

"It is better to have immunity against the influenza virus because the parallel circulation of influenza and COVID-19 is not good. And if you are ill from flu and covid at the same time or with one of them immediately after recovering from the other, this may put the body under quite a stress," said Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev - chief state health inspector.

The national flu immunisation programme for people over the age of 65, which ends this year, has provided 190,000 vaccines. The health ministry is expected to propose to the government that next year there will be free-of-charge vaccines for the elderly. Flu vaccines for sale in pharmacies this year are about 110,000.

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