Hawaii’s new health director, Libby, is urging four people to be vigilant during the upcoming flu season, which health experts predict could be the worst in years due to the prevalence of covid-1 of in the community.
In his most challenging role today, the emergency therapist, who previously served as the state’s EMS district medical director for Oahu, faces a possible third wave of coronavirus infection, Sept. Joined the health department on the 16th. Destructive with influenza in the mixture.
Across the country, health experts are concerned that a collision of two potentially deadly viruses could result in hospitalization and increased mortality. Taking flu shots this year to prevent hospitals from overflowing with both Flu and Covid-19 patients is more serious.
“What I’m hearing is that this year is going to be a particularly bad flu season,” said Chare, who has been managing Honolulu’s EMS system for years. “When you associate the bad flu season with COVID-19, it just combines it. It is possible that we may see another wave of COVID-19. I would tell people to be prepared for the second spike. If we are in that mindset, maybe it will help us to be diligent and ready. ”
The coronavirus has killed 131 people and infected more than 12,000 since it arrived on the islands earlier this year. The DOH estimates that pneumonia and influenza could cause as many as 1,000 air deaths and about 10,000 cases in the coming flu season.
That compares with 686 deaths from pneumonia and influenza in the 2019-2020 flu season, which ended on Saturday, according to the department’s Influenza / Respiratory Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending September 5.
Both viruses have almost identical symptoms and are transmitted in the same way – by airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing. Flu and pneumonia were the five leading causes of death in the state from 2014 to 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Wolf Miller, a professor and fellow at the University of the American College of Epidemiology, said, “Covid-1 is bad and the flu is bad, and if you get both, you’ll be in real trouble.” That the mortality rate can rise rapidly from double infection. “It simply came to our notice then. If we get co-infected with any of these viruses, it can be fatal, ”he said.
While it is uncommon for two viruses to be transmitted at the same time, co-infection is possible – and both respiratory viruses target the lungs and can cause viral pneumonia.
Miller added, “Even if it’s just a common flu season, it’s going to get worse.” “And if people don’t get the flu vaccine, it will definitely get worse. This is part of the catastrophe we can avoid if we take our flu shots. “
Miller declares that people should be careful and stay indoors for the most part, and avoid crowds during the flu. The flu can be particularly severe in young children, with COVID-19 mostly affecting older adults and underlying medical conditions.
Four replaced Bruce Anderson, the former health director, who was criticized for failing to produce a strong COVID-19 response. It is now on a mission to restore public confidence and persuade Hawaiians to get their flu shots, wear masks and maintain good hygiene, and practice social distance during the holidays despite varying fatigue.
“She has no issue playing catch-up with public confidence or getting people who are fed up (on board),” Miller said. “It’s a very serious situation we’re seeing.”
With the flu season, a combination of businesses and trans-Pacific travel quarantine exemptions and individual and school-to-school programs starting again next month, officials are monitoring the second wave of coronavirus infections, reducing the state’s health care resources.
“At least for many, for many months we will be dealing with COVID-19. I can’t tell you when it will end, “Chare said.” What worries me is that the flu season is around the corner. The best thing we can do is work on the prevention side so we never get sick. . “
Hawaii’s “very social” culture is about explaining to each other and reassuring our friends and family that it’s getting more and more complicated, and at some point, hopefully, we’ll get shopping and change our behavior as a community. , ”She said.
Hawaii hospitals have already begun seeing the first patients of the fall flu season, usually with the number of cases continuing in March, said Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO of Queen’s Health Systems.
“The spread of coronavirus and the combination of the flu at the same time can dramatically increase the number of sick people,” he said. “The flu on top of the coronavirus exacerbates the epidemic and can make it worse. To me, it’s the most pain and suffering we can stop. “
On the flip side, if 80% of the population gets the flu vaccine, according to Hoggard Green, the community will be able to see a better flu season than usual and a wider reduction in transmission.
Emergency room on the island of Hawaii Doctor Lieutenant Gov. Josh Green said he expects people to wear masks and socially distance themselves for Covid-19, so there will be fewer cases of the flu, “but you never know how strong the flu strain is. Will be. ”
He added that he gets an annual flu shot and has been infected with the virus once in the last 20 years. “You can say that Covid-19 is more serious for us and we have no immunity, that’s why we’re trying to stop it.”
Of the 12,018 cases in Hawaii, 787 total coronavirus hospitalizations accounted for 6.5%. Nationally, about 600,000 hospital admissions of 45 million flu cases, a rate of about 1.3%.
“People have been hospitalized at five times the rate (the death rate is 119) and the mortality rate is 1 times higher,” Green said, adding that the state is committed to ensuring that any Covid-1 vaccine is available in the future. Working to configure additional security. Is safe and voluntary in Hawaii.
“We need to get the mob immune system. If people don’t get it, they will become very susceptible to getting coronavirus and affect us in starting the state. ”
Honolulu Family Doctor Jennifer Frank said the flu vaccine is “flying over the shelves” this year and asking people who usually don’t get it for a shot. Although the flu vaccine was only 0% effective last year, none of its patients who caught the virus went to the hospital or died, so it would have prevented problems, he said.
While there is no cross-protection from the flu vaccine, staying healthy is “one of the best things you can do to prevent Covid-19 for you and everyone around you,” he said.
