Faced with the intensification of the flu epidemic, the white plan was triggered in 87 hospitals, indicated the Ministry of Health this Friday, January 10, 2025.
- Faced with the flu epidemic, 87 hospitals triggered the white plan.
- This system makes it possible, among other things, to cancel certain operations and recall staff on leave in order to increase the resources to manage the influx of patients.
- Twenty-three flu-related deaths have been reported, including 12 among those 65 or older.
The flu epidemic is particularly virulent at the start of 2025. Faced with the growing number of cases, the white plan has been triggered in 87 hospitals. This system makes it possible to mobilize different means to handle the influx of patients.
Flu epidemic: “an exceptionally high level of intensity in the hospital”
During its last weekly report, Public Health France warned of the rise in the flu epidemic, noting among other things “an exceptionally high level of intensity in the hospital” compared to previous seasons. The white plan launched in 87 establishments is one of the responses to try to cope with the increase in cases. It allows the mobilization of all the hospital’s capacities, both human and logistical. Certain operations may be unscheduled and staff on leave recalled.
At the microphone of CNews-Europe 1 on Thursday January 9, the Minister of Labor, Health, Solidarity and Families Catherine Vautrin, for her part, mentioned the implementation of this system, enshrined in law since 2004, in a “hundred” of French hospitals. During this interview, she also invited “those who have not yet been vaccinated” to do it. “When we look at emergency room arrivals and in particular cases of complications, more than 70% of them are people who are not vaccinated and who are eligible people,” she had clarified.
Flu: all indicators on the rise in hospital
In his latest reportPublic Health France specifies having observed “a sharp increase in indicators in all age groups” in hospitals, “except for 5-14 year olds”. People aged 65 and over are particularly affected by the flu virus. They represented 69% of hospitalizations after going to the emergency room for flu/flu-like illness at the beginning of January.
In addition, 318 cases of influenza were treated by the intensive care units. 86% of patients were 18 years or older. Twenty-three deaths were reported, including 12 among those 65 or older.
The whole of France is in the epidemic phase. Overseas, only Guadeloupe and Martinique are in the red. Guyana and Mayotte are classified as pre-epidemic.
