Obligation to wear face masks in medical centers officially comes into force

Face masks are officially mandatory in medical centers in Catalonia, after the measure has been published in the Catalan government's official gazette.

The obligation to wear a mask in hospitals will last for an initial 15 calendar days and could be prolonged if necessary.

The regulation is in force for citizens over six years of age and apply to primary, intermediate and mental health care centers as well as hospitals.

The measure extends to workers, visitors, and patients, with the exception of people who are admitted when they are in their room.

The text points out that health centers "are areas of particular vulnerability in which the need to reinforce the use of the mask in certain situations has been demonstrated."

Amid a context of surging respiratory virus infections, officials are bracing for up to 10,000 visits to A&E wards on Tuesday. 

Authorities hope the move will help protect people in shared spaces showing symptoms of illness, professionals who attend to symptomatic cases, people who work in intensive care units, and vulnerable patients.

"Acute respiratory infections have an impact on people's health, especially in terms of mortality in the most vulnerable population," the resolution points out. 

Spain introduces masks in medical centers

The Spanish government will also apply the obligation to wear face masks in medical centers. The Ministry of Health will approve the measure on Wednesday.

Sources from the ministry have indicated to the Catalan News Agency that Pedro Sánchez's executive plans to go ahead with the measure through Article 65 of coordinated actions in public health and food safety.

They also point out that the Spanish government will go ahead with the measure despite not reaching any consensus with the various regional administrations after Monday's meetings.

Health department recommends vaccination

The department of health has opened flu and Covid-19 vaccination to the general population and recommends that "everyone, of all ages," protect themselves from the current wave of respiratory infections.

Health minister Manel Balcells said that vaccinations "stops headaches and the health system from being overloaded."

Authorities insist on the vulnerable population getting vaccinated, but Balcells admitted that coverage is "less than desired."

The minister also explained in a press conference on Tuesday that some scheduled operations have been suspended in some hospitals due to the pressure on medical workers, but he pointed out that this was not a general issue.

Balcells encouraged members of the public of all ages to get vaccinated.

"We recommend especially that people with risk factors get vaccinated, but that everyone of all ages should get vaccinated."

"It's worth it," he added. 

Flu cases on the rise

Influenza infections continue to rise in Catalonia, with a high level of transmission.

According to the data from the department of health, the current estimated peak incidence is 344 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, similar to that of years before the pandemic when it had reached around 350-400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The data show that, in the first week of the year, 14,903 cases of flu were diagnosed in primary care centers, well above the previous years which had been marked by Covid-19. In the same period last year, there were only 4,184 cases diagnosed.

The estimated incidence of Covid-19 has seen a slight decrease, while the number of people admitted to hospital for the coronavirus has risen to 794, an increase of 67 compared to the previous week, while there are 30 patients in ICUs.