The winter holidays can lead to a rise in the number of viral infections and cases of flu. Currently, 35% of the persons who call an ambulance have symptoms typical of viral infections, Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco stated in a news conference.

Speaking about the epidemiological situation, the minister noted that the incidence rate is higher than last year and among the reasons is the fact that the citizens in 2021 and 2020 wore masks, stayed more at home and the kindergartens didn’t work.

According to Ala Nemerenco, children under six are more affected this year. About 65% of them needed hospital care as they developed complications.

“Children also become infected because they do not have immunological memory. The parents should be very attentive when symptoms of disease appear in their children. They should see the family doctor and should administer the necessary treatment. Complications can be developed, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and otitis,” noted the official.

Nicolae Furtună, head of the National Public Health Agency’s Communicable Diseases Division, said the wearing of masks is important in this period even if the COVID-19 pandemic retreated.

“We have a mixture of circulating viral strains and also a multitude of non-flu viruses. The children of an early age are the most susceptible ones. In the case of flu, we have vaccines and control instruments, while in the case of the other viral infections we bank on the people’s common sense. Masks should be worn in transport. The lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic remain valid for the current season,” stated Nicolae Furtună.

Ala Nemerenco said that all the municipal and national hospitals were under strain last week. If the situation at the hospitals that belong to the municipality repeats, children from Chisinau could be admitted to the Mother and Child Institute.

The official noted that the vaccination statistics are gladdening. “1,700 to 3,000 persons get vaccinated each week. There are also persons who get the first shot. These probably form part of the category of skeptic persons. There are districts where the distributed flu shots were fully administered. The people believe in vaccines as they can see the positive effects of these,” stated Ala Nemerenco.