Following last week's surge of one million Italians in bed, the number of instances of respiratory illnesses in Italy remains high but relatively consistent. This is confirmed by the latest surveillance bulletin from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. It is now difficult to forecast when the peak will occur; however, it is expected that respiratory viruses will continue to circulate in the following weeks, particularly with the reopening of schools and the return to full-time work after the Christmas vacations. While the indicators for the Coronavirus are declining, it is the flu that is currently causing the most concern and putting a strain on hospitals, coupled by a high prevalence of bronchiolitis in small children caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. "According to the data at hand, at the national level, we are recording a very high demand on all Emergency Departments, and hospitalizations due to flu complications are increasing throughout Italy", says Professor Fabrizio Pregliasco, scientific director of the Influenza Observatory. "The elderly and feeble individuals are most vulnerable, although young people might also be admitted to the hospital if difficulties arise. It is noteworthy that an increase in the volume of newly reported cases correlates with a heightened probability of an individual requiring hospitalization or attention at the emergency room. This is why it is critical to support flu vaccination in all forms, as it is the most effective weapon we have at our disposal to minimize the spread of these diseases, which, particularly for at-risk groups, can cause considerable suffering and even death."
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