Home / Health / Flu Surges: Hospitals Urge Mask-Wearing Amidst Rise
Flu Surges: Hospitals Urge Mask-Wearing Amidst Rise
6 Dec
Summary
- Two hospitals in Wiltshire are now asking for face masks to be worn.
- Great Western Hospital saw flu hospitalisations rise by 63% last week.
- England's average weekly flu hospitalisations are up over 50%.
Amidst a notable rise in influenza cases, two hospitals in Wiltshire have reintroduced mask-wearing recommendations. Salisbury District and Great Western Hospitals are now requesting that all individuals within their A&E departments and several other assessment units wear face coverings.
This measure comes as Great Western Hospital reported a dramatic 63% increase in flu hospitalisations over the last seven days. Hospital officials anticipate these numbers will continue to climb in the coming period, underscoring the growing concern over seasonal illness.
Data from NHS England shows a significant trend across the nation. Last week, an average of 1,700 patients were hospitalized with the flu, a figure more than 50% higher than that recorded for the same period in the previous year.
