Measures to slow spread of Covid ‘should cut number of flu cases this winter’

HEALTH bosses are convinced that the strict social distancing and hand washing regimes introduced to stop the spread of Covid-19 will dramatically reduce the spread of flu this winter.

And as a result, the country’s hospitals may not have to deal with a nightmare double whammy of Covid and flu during the winter months.

Medics around the world have been concerned about how to deal with the two-pronged threat of a Covid upsurge during the peak flu season. But it has now emerged that the lockdown measures have suppressed the spread of flu in Australia, which is now in its winter season.

Australia’s flu season normally starts towards the end of January and builds up from then until hitting its peak between June and August.

However, recently compiled statistics reveal that while there was a high incidence of flu during January and February – when there were 6,962 and 7161 confirmed cases – the rate of infection dropped sharply after the introduction of social distancing and repeated hand washing due to Covid.

In March there were 5,884 cases of flu recorded and this dropped to only 229 in April. In comparison, in April 2019 there were 18,705 confirmed cases of flu.

Meanwhile, it has also emerged that only 0.2% of Australians contracted the flu in April whereas a year before 1.4% were diagnosed with flu.

Australia introduced its lockdown on March 23 when pubs, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, and schools were closed.

And experts say that if the

Covid hygiene measures are maintained it will help suppress the spread of flu during their winter. Lockdown measures have also been linked to an early end to the flu season in Hong Kong where it is normally prolonged until March or April. This year it appears the annual flu season ended in February.

In an interview with the scientific journal New Scientist, Kirsty Short from the University of Queensland said: ‘People are washing their hands more and instead of having the attitude that they can still go to work if they’re sick, they now know to stay home if they have respiratory symptoms.’

Meanwhile, this weekend the HSE agreed social distancing and other Covid measures such as hand hygiene and cough etiquette could help reduce the spread of flu later on this year.

And health bosses also urged more people to avail of the seasonal flu jab.

A HSE spokesman added: ‘Social distancing, hand washing and cough etiquette promoted to reduce the spread of Covid-19 will absolutely reduce the spread of flu.’

The HSE is encouraging all who are eligible to take up the offer of the flu vaccination in 2020/2021 flu season.

‘The vaccine will be available from September and administered by a spectrum of healthcare professionals including GPs, pharmacies, occupational health and peer vaccinators.’