Hospitals under pressure, white plan considered in Millau: South Aveyron confronted with the flu epidemic

The white plan could be triggered in Millau soon. Midi Libre – Vincent Damourette

While the flu epidemic continues to progress in Occitanie, South Aveyron is not spared. With hospitalizations on the rise and emergency rooms under pressure, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) is calling for vigilance. The Millau hospital center, although under surveillance, is still holding up. But the question of triggering the white plan arises.

As in the whole region, the flu epidemic is not abating in Millau. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) reiterated its call for vigilance last Thursday. The previous week, 1,348 emergency room visits for flu had been recorded across the whole of Occitanie. “A sharp increase” , this figure concerns “all age groups” , deplores the ARS before emphasizing an “increase in hospitalizations, particularly among the elderly”.

Of these 1,348 emergency room visits, 226 ended in hospitalization, “including 65% of patients aged 65 and over and 21% under 15”. In medical practices, there has also been an increase in consultations for flu or flu-like symptoms. In light of this, the ARS is renewing its calls for vigilance with the application of barrier gestures and the recommendation to vaccinate the elderly.

White plan in Millau ?

On January 15, the Rodez hospital already triggered the white plan due to a significant increase in flu-related admissions. A special 12-bed unit had been set up to manage the influx of patients.

While this is not yet an issue in Saint-Affrique, the question is being asked for the Millau hospital center. According to the information gathered, the situation in Millau is under surveillance. But for the moment, despite numerous hospitalizations, the staff is able to contain them.

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Since January 28, a hospitalization coordination unit has been set up in the medical facility. Twice a week, staff members meet to plan for the coming days based on the health situation. The first time is on Monday to anticipate the next three days, then on Thursday to determine whether or not beds will need to be opened for the weekend.

All affected populations

In its latest epidemiological report of January 29, Santé publique France mentioned a “increase in indicators in all age groups in the city and in the hospital”. In children, activity reached an “exceptionally high”.

At the Millau and Saint-Affrique hospitals, cases of influenza affect all populations. The need for hospitalizations related to the virus has certainly increased, but this is not what would occupy the most. Covid-19, winter illnesses, continuity of care… Other pathologies continue to circulate and occupy the staff.

Vaccination campaign

While the various respiratory viruses are circulating strongly, the vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19 – initially planned until January 31 – has been extended until February 28. The High Authority of Health recommends that people at risk get vaccinated against both viruses. Regarding the flu, people eligible for vaccination are those over 65, people suffering from certain chronic diseases, pregnant women, people suffering from obesity and people staying in a follow-up care facility or a medico-social accommodation facility regardless of their age.

Peak reached ?

While according to many media outlets the peak of the epidemic was reached at the end of January, the information to this effect is ultimately contradictory. At our colleagues at Ouest-France, when asked “have we passed the peak of the epidemic”, Dr. Vincent Dubée explained that a peak had indeed been reached before stating that the epidemic was not over. According to him, six to eight weeks of flu are still expected. The same in South Aveyron. From one day to the next, the cases encountered and the number of patients evolve. A period of tension during which healthcare workers have learned to juggle, anticipate, and react.

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