The Province of Modena, like the rest of the peninsula, has been hit hard by the seasonal flu this year, causing chaos and disrupting the Christmas holidays for thousands of people. High fever, persistent cough, headache, and even respiratory failure have affected many citizens, leading to a surge in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Ottavio Nicastro, the medical director of the hospital company – University of Modena, expressed concern over the extraordinary event, referring to the increase in severity codes, number of ambulance transports, and the younger age of hospitalized patients. The impact on the population has been significant, prompting healthcare facilities to mobilize all available resources to respond to the population’s needs.
Children have been particularly affected by the flu, with the number of beds in the pediatric department doubling. The situation has also put a strain on doctors and emergency room workers, with an increase in red codes and attacks against staff and facilities reported.
Geminian Flag, director of the inter-company Emergency Department of the Local Health Authority and Modena University Hospital, highlighted the significant increase in emergency room accesses, reaching a peak of 170 in a single day. This surge has tested all healthcare personnel and led to some unpleasant incidents, reflecting a moment of great mistrust towards the healthcare system.
Despite the challenges, healthcare facilities have been preparing to deal with the flu peak, with Internal Medicine departments being equipped to handle critical patients. Antonello Pietrangelo, Director of the Integrated Care Department, noted an increase in younger patients being admitted, while Lucio Brugioni, director of the Internal Medicine and Critical Area Department, emphasized the importance of flu vaccination in preventing serious cases.
As the flu continues to affect the population, Brugioni advised people to seek medical attention if their saturation drops below 92% and if they experience persistent high fever.
The impact of the seasonal flu in the Province of Modena serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and proactive medical care in mitigating the effects of infectious diseases.