Bradford Royal Infirmary calls for visitor mask use as flu surge grows
City hospital asks visitors to wear masks amid rising flu cases
48 minutes ago
Andrew Barton, Yorkshire
BBC
Bradford Royal Infirmary is encouraging visitors to wear face masks due to a noticeable rise in flu cases within the hospital.
The NHS has reported an early wave of flu and other respiratory illnesses both locally and nationally, with an increasing number of patients presenting with severe symptoms and requiring admission.
"To protect patients, visitors, and staff, we have decided to implement mandatory mask-wearing in high-risk clinical areas," stated a spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust noted that staff will also wear masks, and that face coverings will be available on wards and in clinical areas for visitors.
Visitors were reminded of the importance of receiving the flu vaccine and were advised to maintain good hand hygiene practices.
Latest NHS figures indicate an average of 1,717 patients nationwide were in hospital beds each day last week due to flu, underscoring the ongoing strain.
Hospital leaders warn that there is no clear sign of a peak in cases yet, even as 17 million flu vaccines have already been distributed.
Related stories
Related internet links
