Published: Mon. January 2024, 21:12
Spain’s government on Monday proposed a nationwide mask mandate in hospitals and fitness clinics, and Italy said infection rates from respiratory illnesses had hit a record high as the flu and COVID spread across Europe.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control has advised other people across the continent to stay home if they feel unwell and wear masks in crowds or in fitness facilities, as the flu spreads as it usually does. At this time of year. , but it affects some countries more than others.
He said Europeans are sticking to national rules on vaccinating vulnerable groups. Influenza now circulates at higher levels than other common respiratory pathogens, in addition to the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, he says.
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Several Spanish regions already ordered patients, visitors and hospitals to wear masks last week. Spain’s central government proposed on Monday to extend the requirement to the entire country, but regional leaders in fitness tax policy have so far rejected the proposal, with a resolution. It is expected on Wednesday.
“One thing we know will limit outbreaks and protect other vulnerable people is the mask,” Health Minister Mónica García told TVE. “This is a common-sense measure, scientifically backed and widely accepted by the public. “other people self-diagnose milder cases and take three days off instead of needing a doctor’s certificate, Garcia said.
Spain is one of the last European countries to remove the mask mandate following the COVID-19 pandemic, and others are being asked to wear them on public transport until February 2023, as well as in gyms and pharmacies until July.
In Italy, the number of people suffering from flu-like illnesses, which accompany the flu and COVID-19, reached an all-time high in the last two weeks of 2023, surpassing even the COVID outbreak, according to published data. through the National Institute of Health (Instituto Nacional de Salud). ISS).
The occurrence in Italy was 17. 5 cases per thousand people in week 52 and 17. 7 cases per thousand people last week.
ISS experts said the increase can simply be attributed to the fact that most people were no longer wearing masks and fewer people had sought vaccines so far this season. So far, there is no indication that the Italian government is reintroducing mask-wearing.
Portugal’s Health Minister Manuel Pizarro said on Monday that there is no explanation for widespread advice on mask-wearing lately, though he acknowledged that the country has been experiencing a flu outbreak that has led to wait times in hospital emergencies of more than 10 hours in recent weeks.
In intensive care units, the number of flu cases hit a record high of 17% in the last week of 2023, according to the health authority.
Countries in other parts of the world have also re-adopted the use of masks. Hospitals in at least four U. S. states have reinstated mask mandates amid emerging cases of COVID, seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses.
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