For the first days of 2023, the figures for these three diseases are falling very significantly, pending confirmation of these data in the coming weeks.
Everything is (a little) better. The days preceding the end-of-year celebrations, health and scientific authorities warned of a triple threat that would strike at the end of 2022: the appearance of a triple epidemic which combined Covid-19, broncholitis and flu. After a few difficult weeks, particularly at the hospital level, it seems that this triple threat is starting to take its toll.
The relieved hospital
Evidenced by the national figures for these diseases. According to Public health France, new cases of Covid-19 have thus fallen by 47% since the start of the year, while for SOS Médecins, interventions related to bronchiolitis have decreased by 7%. As for the flu, new cases have decreased by 26%.
A decline in data also noted by health professionals. On the antenna of BFMTV, the pharmacist Paul Morel illustrates this decline and takes the example of a drug usually used to treat bronchiolitis in the youngest.
“For example Doliprane, a well-known drug in its syrup form for children. In the first week of January, consumption is almost normal, in any case much lower than it was last month”, indicates- he.
In turn, this overall decrease has a real impact on the daily lives of hospitals, which for some were in an extremely difficult situation, to the point that the white plan was triggered there. According to data from Public Health France and covid-trackerhospitalizations for Covid-19 fell by 10%, a figure that rises to 20% for bronchiolitis.
On the other hand, with regard to the flu, hospitalizations increased by 3%, but it was visits to the emergency room which decreased by 27%.
Natural phenomenon, but also circumstantial?
How to explain such variations? First of all, it should be noted that the last school holidays had a beneficial effect and prevented the various viruses from spreading, especially among children. In fact, the downward trend will have to be confirmed in the coming weeks with the returns in progress and at work.
Then, the epidemic oscillations are also natural phenomena and inherent to these viruses, indicates to our antenna the general practitioner Bernard Cauchois.
“Quite simply, epidemics go up and down, it’s nature. The more the epidemic advances, the more people there are who have antibodies, and therefore they defend themselves better”, he concludes.
In order to validate this overall decrease, the health authorities are calling on the French to be extremely vigilant, and as always to respect barrier gestures.
