For anyone else, the coronavirus can be considered a ‘normal’ flu now. The symptoms are not as bad and most people would either be asymptomatic or have a mild sore throat, argues Dr Vic Arendt, an infectious disease specialist who was a guest at RTL Radio, on Tuesday morning.
According to Dr Arendt a solid herd immunity has been created due to people getting vaccinated and others being infected with the Omicron variant. The last virus variants were less severe, but he would still not lift the four-day isolation in Luxembourg.
As far as influenza is concerned, it should be noted that this season has been much more severe than usual. With mask mandates and restrictions removed after two years, the influenza virus, just like all other respiratory viruses, could not really circulate and therefore no major herd immunity was developed.
Now the virus is sort of “catching up”, with the flu season starting earlier than expected.
Last week alone there were 600 cases, which is 2.5 times more than usual. However, flu infections could increase for another 10 to 14 days until they reach their peak.
As with Covid vaccinations, Dr Arendt advises vulnerable and elderly people to get their flu shot. At this point, both vaccines can be administered together.
The situation at the paediatric clinic on the other hand is still tense. While there was a slight decrease in RSV, the virus that causes bronchiolitis in young children, the clinic is filled to capacity and programmed surgeries are still being postponed.
The clinic was massively overloaded: 16 new beds had to be added with the day hospital transformed into a ward.
Dr Arendt therefore warns to keep babies as far away from other children as possible as a precaution.
