Mandatory masks in health care facilities and nursing homes in Spain

The rise in respiratory infections in Spain has already led three autonomous communities in Spain to make the use of masks mandatory in hospitals, health centers and nursing homes. On Monday, the health minister will propose extending this measure to the entire country.

The Community of Valencia was the first to adopt this measure, followed by the Government of Catalonia and Murcia. Now the proposal from the Spanish Ministry of Health aims to extend the mandatory use of masks in all health care facilities in the country as a transitional measure while the wave of influenza A and other respiratory viruses continues, which is expected to peak in the third week of the epidemic. January. But always respecting the autonomous provincial governments: “Each community has the competence and responsibility to take measures appropriate to its particular circumstances. They are on the front line and know their needs best,” said Minister Monica García.

Among Spain’s other autonomous communities, Aragon requires the use of masks only by health care workers. Castile, which has the highest incidence rate in Spain (1,709 cases of respiratory infections per 100,000 inhabitants), indicates that it will take the measures that experts indicate. In Galicia, the Health Council has already called for the use of face protection in emergency situations and for immunocompromised patients, and a few days ago extended this recommendation to all hospital services and health centers. Communities in Madrid and the Balearic Islands have already ruled out any imposition.

Here in Portugal, the latest seasonal health measures report, published today and covering the week of December 25 to 31, indicates that “influenza activity is reported to be increasing.” It states that “in hospital emergency care, the proportion of episodes associated with acute respiratory infections and influenza syndrome has increased, particularly in older age groups, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of emergency episodes resulting in hospital admission.” At the moment, the recommendations are basic: “The activity of respiratory viruses helps inform the population about the adoption of personal protection measures against respiratory infections. According to the DHS standard 013/2022, a mask is also recommended for use by all people with acute respiratory symptoms whenever they come into contact with other people or are in public areas.”