The Minister of Health has issued a series of last-minute instructions that target millions of Romanians from all over the country at the moment, and this is because he decided to bring to the attention of all people something that they should know about at the moment in full condition of the flu epidemic alert throughout the country.
The Minister of Health talks below about all the instructions that people should follow at the moment to protect themselves against a possible infection with the flu, but also with other viruses that are spreading very quickly in Romania now, so it is good to look over them.
"Seeing the Report of the General Directorate of Public Health and Health Programs no. 161 of 5.01.2023 and Address of the National Institute of Public Health no. 117 of 4.01.2023, based on art. 2 para. (6) and of art. 5 lit. i) from Law no. 95/2006 on health reform, republished, with subsequent amendments and additions, and of art. 7 para. (4) from Government Decision no. 144/2010 on the organization and operation of the Ministry of Health, with subsequent amendments and additions, the Minister of Health issues this instruction.
Considering the increase in the number of cases of influenza illness and exceeding the average over the previous 5 seasons, the state of epidemiological alert determined by influenza is established. In order to prevent and limit illnesses caused by influenza and other respiratory viral infections, starting from the date of this instruction, the following measures are applied at the level of health facilities.
Limitation of the visiting schedule of patients hospitalized in public health units, based on the analysis carried out by the county public health department or of the municipality of Bucharest, according to the provisions of the Order of the Minister of Health no. 3.670/2022 regarding the establishment of the schedule of visits in public health facilities. Carrying out the daily epidemiological triage for the medical-sanitary and auxiliary staff, with the recommendation of voluntary isolation at home of those detected with respiratory symptoms or carrying out activities that do not involve interaction with patients.
The wearing of appropriate protective equipment, i.e. masks, gloves, gowns, both by visitors and by medical staff and other people who come into contact with patients. Ensuring stocks of antivirals, especially by hospitals admitting cases of acute respiratory infections. Ensuring the establishment of specific antiviral therapy immediately after admission in patients presenting a clinical picture compatible with influenza with/without laboratory diagnosis.
Ensuring the conditions for influenza vaccination of non-vaccinated medical and sanitary personnel; ensuring or restoring, as the case may be, the stocks of protective equipment and their appropriate use by medical and sanitary personnel; ensuring or restoring, as the case may be, the stocks of antiseptics and disinfectants, for rigorous hand and surface hygiene; compliance with influenza case, contact and outbreak management protocols."
