Only around 61,000 people were screened at the 54 flu clinics across the country since March. Health Minister during the press conference yesterday informed that flu clinics are equipped with rapid antigen testing facilities that could detect positive cases but despite awareness, only a few people visit the flu clinic.
Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said that sometimes only three people visit flu clinic in a day.
“Right now, we don’t even see 100 people visiting flu clinics. When we inquire positive cases, they say they had a headache, flu and cough but they haven’t visited the flu clinic. Health Ministry has provided facilities. So unlike in the past, we urge people to visit flu clinic as much as possible,” Lyonpo said.
With facilities in place, Health Minister said that if more symptomatic people visit flu clinics, the health officials need not have to conduct mass screening in the community.
“If 5 % of Thimphu’s population comes to the flu clinic and if all tested negative, that’s good confidence and we know that there is no community transmission. But if its 0.01% of the population that visits the clinic, it’s very hard, technically, to come to a conclusion,” Lyonpo added.
She also said for patients with serious flu-like symptoms or symptoms related to COVID-19, health officials visit the patient at home providing testing services.
Sangay Chezom
