Mask mandate in Catalan hospitals and care homes comes into force as flu cases soar

The official resolution making masks compulsory in health and residential care centres came into force on Wednesday after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC).

The measure applies to everyone aged six and over – staff, patients, and visitors – in primary care centres, hospitals, intermediate-care facilities, mental health centres, and in residential homes for older people or individuals with disabilities.

Patients and residents will not need to wear a mask while inside their own rooms.

The resolution takes effect on December 10 and will remain in force for 15 calendar days, i.e. until Christmas Eve, December 24.

The Catalan cabinet approved the measure on Tuesday in response to a surge in flu cases.

Exemptions

The order includes several exemptions. People with medical conditions or respiratory difficulties that could be worsened by mask-wearing are exempt, as are individuals who, due to disability or dependency, cannot remove a mask on their own or whose behavioural conditions make its use unfeasible.

Masks are not required for activities that cannot be done while wearing one.

Christmas flu peak

A senior health official has warned that this season's flu peak could last longer than expected due to social interaction over the Christmas period.

"What happens after the holidays is hard to predict. There's a lot of social mixing and gatherings in enclosed spaces, which could prolong the peak somewhat," Jacobo Mendioroz told Catalunya Ràdio on Wednesday morning.

An "increase in transmission" is expected around the holiday period, and complications from cases typically appear a few days later, Mendiroz said, explaining that the peak in hospitals is usually about two weeks after the peak in infections.

Mendiroz noted that the rise in hospital admissions is already being observed among children.

Mendioroz recommended general mask use for anyone showing symptoms, especially when in contact with vulnerable people.

However, he ruled out making masks compulsory in settings such as public transport, stressing that while Catalonia is experiencing a more intense flu season than usual, the situation is not comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Flu cases soar

The flu incidence rate has increased by 2.5 in one week, according to data reported by the department on Tuesday. The number of cases has surpassed the peaks seen in the last three years.

The estimated incidence of flu in Catalonia has increased by 2.5 in one week, from December 1 to 7, reaching a very high level of transmission, according to health authorities. The increase began six weeks ago, earlier and more sharply than usual.

Currently, the incidence rate stands at 418 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 168 the previous week.

Influenza is the predominant virus, with 308 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants, more than double the 138 cases recorded the previous week.

These figures surpass the peaks seen in the last three flu seasons.

Hospital admissions

Hospital admissions for flu continue to rise, while admissions for other viruses remain stable. This week, all Covid-19 admissions (four) and 73% of flu admissions were among people over 60 years old.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), which can cause bronchiolitis in young children, accounted for 67% of admissions in children under four.

Vaccination coverage

Vaccination coverage against flu stands at 66% for people over 80 and 52% for those aged 70 to 79. For Covid-19, coverage is 54% among those over 80 and 38% for people aged 70 to 79.

Among children aged 6 months to 5 years, flu vaccination coverage is 38%. Regarding RSV, cumulative coverage is 93.8% for children born between April and September and 70% for those born between October and May, resulting in an overall coverage of 89%.