Victoria records zero flu deaths so far in 2020 after strict coronavirus social distancing
No Victorian died of the flu in the first five months of the year, thanks to improved hygiene practices and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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No Victorian died of the flu in the first five months of the year, thanks to improved hygiene practices and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the same period last year, 31 Victorians had died of the flu and there had been 15,358 confirmed cases of the sickness.
But in the five months to May 31, there have been no flu-related deaths and just over 4500 confirmed cases.
Increased hand hygiene was partly to thank for the drop in cases, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We’ve seen a reduction in the number of flu cases so far this year,” a spokesman told the Herald Sun.
“With more awareness than ever before around hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette, we hope these numbers stay low.”
Experts said good hygiene practices were essential to inhibiting the spread of flu because, like coronavirus, it could quickly worsen and claim more lives.
Victorians must not let standards of hygiene slip, regardless of any easing of coronavirus restrictions, Australian National University infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said.
“We need to wash our hands more often than we used to,” Prof Collignon.
“If droplets get coughed and spluttered and go on surfaces and we touch them with our hands and then touch our nose or eyes, before washing with our hands, we inoculate ourselves.
“These are things we should have been doing the whole time.
“The more we can keep our distance from other people, the better.”
Professor Collignon said Victorians needed to stop “soldiering on” and stay at home when they were under the weather.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said flu case numbers could grow as coronavirus restrictions eased and people increased their contact, including at Saturday’s mass protest.
“We’re going to have a greater opportunity for people to pass influenza to each other,” college president Dr Harry Nespolon said.
“We’re also going to find, even with the mass protests over the weekend, will be seeding events for both influenza and COVID.”
A DHHS spokesman said despite the positive flu numbers, many people could still be more at risk as the cold weather moves in.
“Getting the flu shot is more important than ever, so we can stay healthy and avoid serious illness during the colder months,” the spokesman said.
More than 150 people died of influenza in 2019, while 19 Victorians have died from coronavirus.
Another factor in the low flu rate and flu death rate has been an increase in the overall number of vaccines distributed across the state.
To May 29, the government had handed out more than 2 million doses of the jab — a jump of 300,000 at the same time last year.
This includes more than 150,000 doses for healthcare workers.
Dr Nespolon said the early rollout and mass take-up of flu shots nationwide this year was partly to thank for the drop in cases.
It comes despite reports of shortages at some private practises and in regional areas.
Only GPs, pharmacists and local councils who are listed as immunisation providers receive the flu vaccine from the state government, while private clinics and independent pharmacies must source their own stock.
But the department said they are in regular contact with the Federal Government to talk about “securing further supplies so we can ensure as much of the community as possible receives this vital protection.”
Eligible Victorians were able to access the flu shot about two weeks earlier than other states this year, in a bid to stay ahead of any potential spread.
This included children under five years of age, people over 65, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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