COVID-19 and Seasonal Flu During the Autumn-Winter of 2020/2021 and the Challenges Lying Ahead for Hospitals

Authors

  • Luís Campos Hospital São Francisco Xavier. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental. Lisboa. NOVA Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Lisboa. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6612-2698
  • Kamal Mansinho Hospital São Francisco Xavier. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental. Lisboa. NOVA Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Lisboa.
  • Paulo Telles de Freitas Hospital Fernando da Fonseca. Amadora.
  • Victor Ramos Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Lisboa.
  • Constantino Sakellarides Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.14818

Keywords:

COVID-19, Emergency Service, Hospital, Influenza, Human, Seasons

Abstract

The possibility of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic coexisting with a simultaneous epidemic of influenza and the co-circulation of other seasonal respiratory viruses sets the stage for a perfect storm. Preparing for the Autumn-Winter of 2020/2021 is complex, requiring centralized guidance but local and regional solutions, with strong leadership and a high level of coordination. It is essential to act upstream of hospitals in order to reduce demand on emergency departments, minimizing the risk of transmission that occurs there and the team overload, as well as downstream to ensure capacity for hospitalization and in the hospital itself to optimize resources and organization. The failure of this plan will create unbearable pressure on hospital care. The authors describe the challenges lying ahead for hospitals and the most important measures that should be included in this plan to prepare the Autumn-Winter of 2020/2021 in Portugal.

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Published

2020-11-02

How to Cite

1.
Campos L, Mansinho K, Telles de Freitas P, Ramos V, Sakellarides C. COVID-19 and Seasonal Flu During the Autumn-Winter of 2020/2021 and the Challenges Lying Ahead for Hospitals. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2020 Nov. 2 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];33(11):716-9. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/14818

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Section

Perspective