Radio România Internațional

Tag: flu season

  • December 27, 2022

    December 27, 2022


    FLU – Over 100,000 cases of flu have been reported in Romania, particularly in children. Experts advise in favor of taking the anti-flu and anti-COVID shots, vulnerable categories in particular. Health Minister Alexandru Rafila says he expects a new wave of COVID that would result in a higher number of serious cases in Romania. A little over 3,400 people have been diagnosed with COVID, of whom 950 were reinfected.



    SEARCH – Search and rescue teams continue to look for the Ukrainian citizens who got lost on Saturday while trying to cross Maramureș Mountains. On Monday, only one person was rescued due to severe weather conditions. The authorities involved in the operation announced that two of the three Ukrainians who are still stranded are in critical condition and are located in an area that is hard to access due to rocky terrain and changing weather conditions. To retrieve them, the authorities received support from FRONTEX. A Diamond aircraft flew over the Romanian-Ukrainian border area. Made up of six people, the group of Ukrainians tried to illegally enter Romania by crossing the alpine border. Search and rescue operations were hampered after the men didn’t want to disclose their location on the first day. The Border Police says the men are aged 23-33. After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Kyiv authorities have called a general mobilization and decreed martial law, which forbids able men aged 18-60 from leaving the country.



    NEW YEAR – The Interior Ministry has taken special precautions to maintain public order around New Year’s Eve. 24,500 police officers, gendarmes, border police officers, firefighters and employees with other structures will be mobilized on a daily basis. Road traffic police will deploy 290 traffic radars and will test drivers for alcohol and illegal substances. The authorities expect a new wave of tourists to head to mountain resorts on Prahova Valley and have prepared special teams of mountain gendarmes.

    MOLDOVA – Moldova’s president Maia
    Sandu hailed the initiative of the Moldovan Education Ministry to provide
    free-of-charge Romanian-language classes to Moldovan adults who don’t use
    Romanian on a daily basis. Launched in 2013, the program was underfunded and
    offered classes for children only. The state budget for 2023 earmarks
    additional funds to extend the program, the Moldovan Presidency reports. The Moldovan
    Government is expected to pass a decree providing all the details of the
    program, which starting next year will be better suited to meet the Romanian
    language demands of Moldovan adults, says president Maia Sandu.



    FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians today celebrate Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, one of the deacons elected to serve in the first Christian community in Jerusalem. Stephen was accused of blasphemy by Jewish clerics and was stoned to death. Roman-Catholic Christians celebrated Saint Stephen on the second day of Christmas. Over 500,000 people celebrate their name day on this occasion.



    HANDBALL – The men’s handball teams of Romania, Egypt, Algeria and Slovakia will take part in this year’s edition of the Carpați Trophy tournament, held over December 28-29 in Oradea, the Romanian Handball Federation reports. Egypt and Algeria have secured qualification to the 2023 World Cup, to be held in January 2023. Coach Xavi Pascual has called up 24 players to the squad, which convened on Monday for training. (VP)



  • The flu season in Romania

    The flu season in Romania

    Nearly a thousand
    cases of flu reported per week, overcrowded pediatric hospitals and drug stores
    running short on key supplies – this is what the start of the flu season looks
    like in Romania. This is the first winter after the COVID-19 pandemic when
    health safety restrictions are lifted. As medics had expected, a wave of
    respiratory infections, some of them with complications, has been reported this
    month, affecting children in particular. The number of people reporting
    symptoms has gone up alarmingly in recent weeks, and patients sometimes wait
    for hours in emergency wards or in family physician practices before getting a
    consultation.

    At the same time, the number of children requiring admission due
    to complications has also gone up, doctors say. In this context, earlier this
    month, the Health Ministry announced the setup of 59 centers for medical evaluation
    of children with respiratory infections, a measure designed to facilitate
    children’s access to medical assistance and to reduce waiting times in emergency
    wards. In turn, pharmacists say they have run out of anti-inflammatory drugs
    and antipyretics, which are demanded particularly for treating children. The
    Association of Industrial Producers of Medicine in Romania has confirmed that
    the use of ibuprofen-based drugs and paracetamol has gone up by 50% compared to
    2021. The same employers’ association says that drug stores are however
    equipped with alternatives to the best-known medicine brands, arguing the
    problem is likely to be solved early next year, when approximately 200 thousand
    such pain relief drugs, made in both Romania and abroad, are expected to
    arrive. Health Minister Alexandru Rafila says the situation is the same in
    other countries and is a consequence of growing drug consumption. The Minister
    recalls, however, that the authorities have presented alternatives to the
    best-known medicine that are currently unavailable. Furthermore, drug shelves
    are empty also due to mispricing, the Health Minister argued, adding that a new
    methodology for setting prices is now being considered, in addition to possibly
    introducing a temporary restriction on exporting certain drugs.


    Over the coming
    period we will consult with the National Health Insurance Agency in terms of
    introducing a new methodology for setting prices, which should prevent drugs
    from becoming unavailable due to commercial reasons. We are also examining the
    possibility of restricting the export of certain drugs, particularly
    antibiotics for children and other types of medicine, including oncology
    drugs.


    Doctors say the best
    ways to prevent seasonal flu include taking the anti-flu vaccine, observing
    hygiene regulations and avoiding crowded areas. Moreover, authorities say, the
    new anti-COVID serum adapted to combat the Omicron strains of the virus is also
    available on the market. (VP)

  • March 11, 2018 UPDATE

    March 11, 2018 UPDATE

    POLITICAL PARTIES — The National Council of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, which convened in Bucharest on Sunday decided that the incumbent president of the country, Klaus Iohannis, be the party’s nomination for the 2019 presidential elections. The National Council also validated the proposal on nominating Liberal leader Ludovic Orban for the position of prime minister, if the National Liberal Party comes to power. Orban has announced his party will draft a governing program, based on a cabinet including 14-15 portfolios and not 28 as is the case now. In another move, on Saturday, the main party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, organised elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents of the party. Following the elections, PM Viorica Dancila has become no.2 in the party led by Liviu Dragnea. Also on Saturday, the Political Committee of the Save Romania Union, USR, in opposition, decided to render more flexible the party joining procedure, with the declared aim that by 2020, USR should have branches in at least 80% of the country’s towns and villages.



    FLU SEASON — In Romania, the number of flu-related deaths has reached 93, after three new deaths have recently been reported, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control has announced. The latest flu victims are two women, aged 72 and 52, respectively, and a man aged 56, who had not been immunized. The total number of acute respiratory infections registered over the past week exceeded 140,000, that is 67% more than in the same week of 2017, and 4.5% more than in the previous week. 1,170 flu-cases were reported since the start of the flu season until last weekend.



    STEEL AND ALUMINIUM TARRIFS — The US President Donald Trump says the EU might be exempted from paying the new US tariffs on steel and aluminium, if it removes commercial barriers imposed on American products. The announcement has been made by representatives of the Commission in Brussels who have also announced they have had an inconclusive meeting with Washington’s special enjoy. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom has said the US did not provide guarantees that the EU will be spared from paying the new customs duties. The introduction of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports announced by President Trump has generated strong international reactions. China has described the measure as a severe attack on the global trade system. Chinese associations have launched an appeal to the US, to give up on the idea. This has been a major promise made during Trump’s election campaign, and it is now a reality: in two weeks’ time, new tariffs will be imposed on all countries, except for Canada, the largest steel exporter to the US, Mexico and Australia. China and the EU have warned they will take measures in response to the move and numerous people voiced concern that this step taken by the US might actually be the start of a new protectionist era. According to Donald Trump, the measure allegedly protects the US national defence and security industry.



    PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — The National People’s Congress, NPC, the Chinese legislative body, has adopted a constitutional amendment which abolishes the limitation of the number of presidential mandates, which gives the opportunity to the incumbent Chinese head of state, Xi Jinping, to lead the country post 2023, international news agencies report. So far, the Chinese Constitution has provided for a maximum of two 5-year presidential mandates. This is the first constitutional amendment adopted by China in the past 14 years. Since he came at the helm of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012, and he became the head of state in early 2013, Xi Jinping, 64, has gradually increased his authority, laying special emphasis on propaganda and the state media’s coverage of his actions, FP reports.



    BOOK FAIR — 20 years on, Romania will again be the honorary guest of the International Book Fair in Leipzig (eastern Germany), which will open its doors on March 15. Attending the fair will be the Romanian writers Mircea Cărtărescu, Nora Iuga, Andrei Pleşu and Varujan Vosganian. The Romanian Ministry of Culture will organise 60 events at Romania’s stand, whose motto is “Romania. Zoom in”. One such event is the concert given by Ada Milea, who will be performing songs on lyrics translated into German by the German writer of Romanian origin Herta Muller, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009, a communiqué issued by the Romanian Ministry of Culture reads. (Translated by D. Vijeu)

  • March 11, 2018

    March 11, 2018

    POLITICAL SCENE – Bucharest is today the venue for the National Council of the National Liberal Party and of the National Political Bureau of the party, which have convened for the activity report meeting of the main opposition party in Romania. The Liberals intend to simplify the party joining procedure, by a resolution meant to show more openness to society and which is expected to be issued later today. Talks will also cover the measures taken by the National Liberal Party to disapprove of the actions taken by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party-the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania, PSD-ALDE. A report on the parliamentary activity of the National Liberal Party will be made public, laying emphasis on the notifications filed by the Liberals regarding the justice laws and the actions they have been started against the economic measures adopted by the ruling coalition. The Liberals consider that the transfer of social security contributions from the employer to employee has created fiscal chaos and that the law on the unified payment scheme has led to significant salary cuts. In another move, on Saturday, the main party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, organised elections for the positions of executive president, secretary general and vice-presidents of the party. Following the elections, PM Viorica Dancila has become no.2 in the party led by Liviu Dragnea. Also on Saturday, the Political Committee of the Save Romania Union, USR, in opposition, decided to render more flexible the party joining procedure, with the declared aim that by 2020, USR should have branches in at least 80% of the countrys towns and villages.



    STEEL AND ALUMINIUM TARIFFS – The US President Donald Trump says the EU might be exempted from paying the new US tariffs on steel and aluminium, if it removes commercial barriers imposed on American products. The announcement has been made by representatives of the Commission in Brussels who have also announced they have had an inconclusive meeting with Washingtons special enjoy. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom has said the US did not provide guarantees that the EU will be spared from paying the new customs duties. The introduction of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports announced by President Trump has generated strong international reactions. China has described the measure as a severe attack on the global trade system. Chinese associations have launched an appeal to the US, to give up on the idea. This has been a major promise made during Trumps election campaign, and it is now a reality: in two weeks time, new tariffs will be imposed on all countries, except for Canada, the largest steel exporter to the US, Mexico and Australia. China and the EU have warned they will take measures in response to the move and numerous people voiced concern that this step taken by the US might actually be the start of a new protectionist era. According to Donald Trump, the measure allegedly protects the US national defence and security industry.



    PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA – The National Peoples Congress, NPC, the Chinese legislative body, has adopted a constitutional amendment which abolishes the limitation of the number of presidential mandates, which gives the opportunity to the incumbent Chinese head of state, Xi Jinping, to lead the country post 2023, international news agencies report. So far, the Chinese Constitution has provided for a maximum of two 5-year presidential mandates. This is the first constitutional amendment adopted by China in the past 14 years. Since he came at the helm of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012, and he became the head of state in early 2013, Xi Jinping , 64, has gradually increased his authority, laying special emphasis on propaganda and the state medias coverage of his actions, FP reports.



    FLU SEASON – In Romania, the number of flu-related deaths has reached 93, after three new deaths have recently been reported, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control has announced. The latest flu victims are two women, aged 72 and 52, respectively, and a man aged 56, who had not been immunized. The total number of acute respiratory infections registered over the past week exceeded 140,000, that is 67% more than in the same week of 2017, and 4.5% more than in the previous week. 1,170 flu-cases were reported since the start of the flu season until last weekend.



    TRAVEL FAIR – Hundreds of visitors came to see Romanias stand at the Berlin Travel fair and tried to find information on the available tourist offers. They have been attracted at the stand by numerous singers attending the event, among which the “Romanasul folk ensemble and “The Humans band, which will represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Today, on the last day of the fair, visitors will have the opportunity to see the “Junii Sibiului group, which will perform folk dances and will present traditions from all of Romanias historical regions, and they will equally have the opportunity to meet Sebastian Paic, a talented craftsman, who organises egg painting workshops.(Translated by D. Vijeu)

  • March 7, 2018

    March 7, 2018

    PUBLIC MINISTRY– Romanias Prosecutor General, Augustin Lazăr, has today presented the 2017 activity report of the Public Ministry. The major coordinates of the prosecutors activity is the big volume of cases they should solve, the special complexity of files and the large number of the people involved, the prosecutor general has said. According to the data released by Lazăr, prosecutors processed some 1,750,000 files, solved over 550 thousand of them and approximately 60,000 people have been brought to justice. 35% of them violated road legislation, the main two causes behind this being the poor road infrastructure and the drivers behaviour. He said a spike in the number of domestic violence cases has been reported lately as well as an increase in the number of minors taken to court, namely up to 4,000. Attending the meeting, President Klaus Iohannis has said that although the idea that prosecutors are the enemies of society is falsely inoculated, they are on the same side with the law enforcers. Attending the event were also representatives of the main judicial institutions.



    JUSTICE LAWS – The parliamentary group of the Liberal deputies, in opposition, call on the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Liviu Dragnea, to request the opinion of the Venice Commission on the changes brought to the justice laws and to suspend talks in the special commission until the opinion is issued. In support of their request, the Liberals recall the recommendation of the latest report issued by the European Commission on the CVM, as well as the public stands recently taken by the EC officials. They also recall the fact that the magistrates professional associations have, in their turn, said an opinion should be requested from the Venice Commission. The draft justice laws are currently being re-examined, following a ruling issued by the Constitutional Court, according to which some changes are partially unconstitutional. Some changes to the justice laws have been vehemently criticised by civil society, the magistrates associations, as well as by the EU.



    PRESIDENCY – Romanian president, Klaus Iohannis, will receive in Bucharest on Thursday his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucici, who is currently on an official visit to Romania. According to the Presidential Administration, the two heads of state will approach bilateral cooperation issues, at political, economic and sectoral level. The two sides will also discuss ways in which Romania can support Serbia in its effort to join the EU, also in the run up to Bucharests taking over the rotating presidency of the EU Council, in the first half of 2019. The two presidents will also discuss issues related to the national ethnic minorities in the two countries, aspects of common interest regarding cooperation in the West Balkans and the main developments in the “Kosovo file.



    MOTION – The Chamber of Deputies has today rejected the simple motion tabled by the main opposition party, the National Liberal Party, against Education minister, Valentin Popa. The Liberals accuse him of showing a lack of professionalism in solving systemic problems. The National Liberal Party draws attention, among other things, to the delayed payment of salaries, the lack of money for investments, which might lead to mergers of schools or even to some of them being closed down. The education minister has rejected all accusations.



    ECONOMIC GROWTH – Romania registered, in the last quarter of 2017, the highest growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of all the 28 EU member states, namely 7%, as compared to the same period of 2016, the revised estimates issued by the statistical office of the European Union, Eurostat, show. The figures also show however that the growth rate of the Romanian economy in the last quarter of 2017 decreased from 8.5% in the previous quarter, to 7%. The highest growth rates across the EU in over October-December 2017 were reported alongside Romania, by Slovenia (6.2%), Estonia (5.3%) and the Czech Republic (5.2%). The National Statistics Institute reconfirmed Romanias 7% growth rate registered last year. Industry, followed by trade and agriculture had the most significant contribution to this growth rate.



    FLU SEASON – The number of flu-related deaths in Romania stands at 84, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control has announced. According to the institution, the last four victims, aged between 59 and 93, had not been immunised and suffered from comorbidities. The Health minister Sorina Pintea, claims that the conditions are not met to declare the outbreak of an epidemics. (Translated by D. Vijeu)

  • Flu and Vaccination

    Flu and Vaccination

    Over 70 people have died this season in Romania after catching the flu virus. The blizzard and cold that have taken the country into their grip in the past few days have contributed to this situation. According to statistics, over 1,700 flu-related cases have been reported in the past week alone, as compared to only 85 in the previous flu season.



    The last flu victim is, according to authorities, a 58-year old woman from the western county of Hunedoara, with comorbidities, and who had not been immunized. In fact, most of the victims had not been immunized against the flu virus so doctors have repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated, as this is the safest protection measure.



    Head of the “Matei Bals Institute of Infectious Diseases, Adrian Streinu Cercel, has explained: “Patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, those with a history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy and strokes, obese people and pregnant women run the risk of developing severe forms of the flu and even lose their lives. I must say that flu does make victims and for this reason there is an immunization in place. Flu is not just going to disappear overnight. So if we do not want to catch the virus and put our lives at risk, getting immunized is the only way to prevent it.



    The situation in Romania is serious and getting the flu shot can save lives, although there can be some adverse reactions, head of the Public Health Authority in Salaj, northwestern Romania, doctor Ligia Marincas, says: “I think that every parent must be aware that vaccines have so far saved millions and millions of lives. Of course, just like any medical intervention or vaccine, it has side adverse effects. In most cases they are mild, just like in the case of any therapy.



    There are several simple rules that can help us prevent catching this virus. Wearing the proper clothes, avoiding exposure to cold, eating caloric food, including more fruits into our diet and eating two or three tablespoons of honey every day can get us through the cold season. Getting enough rest is also important.



    Experts say that an adult needs at least 8 hours of sleep at night because a rested body stands more chances of fighting the flu virus successfully. Lets not forget about exercising, which is known to strengthen immunity.



    People who experience flu symptoms are advised to get checked by a doctor and not resort to self-medication. Experts say the number of new cases should go down in the upcoming period, in spite of the fact that the number of people getting infected has increased lately. (Translated by E. Enache, edited by D. Vijeu)