The intense cold recorded last month in the Girona regions has caused the death of 35 people from causes attributable to low temperatures, according to data from the Daily Mortality Monitoring system (MoMo). Most of the victims were elderly people, especially residents in inland municipalities and rural areas where the impact of cold waves is usually more pronounced.
The impact of the cold on the elderly population
Between the second and third week of January, 30 deaths due to cold were recorded in the demarcation. The MoMo indicates that 30 of the 35 deaths corresponded to people aged 65 or older and, of these, twenty were over 85 years old. Excess mortality is concentrated in this group, considered especially vulnerable to extreme temperature episodes.
Health reminds that these figures are estimates and that they cannot be considered consolidated until at least one month has passed since publication. The definitive count could vary once the data is reviewed and the direct relationship with the cold is confirmed.
Season's balance and associated risks
The provisional balance of the autumn and winter season raises to 63 the deaths attributed to the cold in the Girona regions since November. In that month, 14 deaths were registered and in December another 14, to which are added the 35 from January.
Health warns that exposure to low temperatures can intensify diseases in the vulnerable population in the medium and long term, facilitating the action of infectious agents. In addition to extreme cases of hypothermia or frostbite, cold weakens the body's defensive response and favors the appearance of infections such as influenza or pneumococcus. It can also aggravate chronic diseases or increase the incidence of mental health problems and complications during pregnancy.
The cold, according to health authorities, increases the risk of traffic accidents, falls, domestic fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by stoves or braziers in homes.
Circulation of respiratory viruses in Girona
The peak of respiratory viruses was reached in December, although during the first fortnight of January the flu continued to circulate at a notable threshold. Currently, the flu remains in an epidemic phase but at a low level.
- Rhinovirus is the most detected virus, present in 26.2% of samples.
- It is followed by RSV with 21.7%, human coronavirus with 12.9%, and influenza with 9.7%.
In the pediatric population, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent, with a positivity of 16.3% in multitests, followed by influenza A with 7.6%.