Hospitals limiting visits, and pharmacies are running out of medicines

A surge in seasonal infections, including flu, is overwhelming hospitals in the Lubuskie region, leading to visitor restrictions and heightened sanitary measures. The number of flu cases has skyrocketed, with around 50,000 weekly diagnoses nationwide in January—five times higher than in November. Experts attribute this rise to low vaccination rates, relaxed post-pandemic precautions, and mild winter conditions.

The situation has also caused a crisis in pharmacies, with shortages of antiviral medications like oseltamivir, widely used for flu treatment. Many pharmacies have run out of stock, leaving patients unable to fill their prescriptions. The Polish Ministry of Health assures that new shipments are secured and should arrive soon.

Hospitals in the region, including in Zielona Góra and Międzyrzecz, have implemented strict visitation rules, allowing only one visitor per patient while enforcing mask mandates. Visitors with symptoms are urged to stay home, as even minor infections can be dangerous for immunocompromised patients.

Medical professionals continue to advise caution, urging residents to follow preventive measures, stay home if sick, and reschedule non-urgent hospital visits to prevent further spread of the virus.

Source: GL