‘Return of the masks as hospitals roll out face covering rules over flu rise’

As the number of flu cases rise, hospitals are becoming overstretched across the UK. Patients and visitors are now being told to wear masks in hospitals across south Wales to keep virus at bay.

With the number of people contracting flu increasing, Cardiff and Vale, Hywel Dda, Anuerin Bevan and Cwm Taf Morgannwg health boards all announced new mask-wearing rules on Friday.

Despite figures claiming the virus is past its peak, doctors in Wales are seeing a sharp rise in patients with symptoms of flu.

On Christmas Eve, Public Health Wales figures showed the GP consultation rate for influenza in the country was 33.1 per 100,000 consultations in week 51 of 2024 – this increased from 21.4 100,000 in week 50.

Masks will now be required in all of Cardiff and Vale health boards assessment, emergency and waiting areas, and by members of staff in all clinical areas. They said this is “in light of rising cases of flu in the community and across our hospital sites”.

The health board has urged people with symptoms of respiratory infection to not visit the hospital as it predicts flu cases to peak by the end of next week.

Hywel Dda health board has issued the same plea, also adding visits to its acute medical assessment unit at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, which can be arranged via the ward sister only.

In a statement, Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said: “From today (December 27), until further notice, you’ll be asked to wear a mask when you arrive to help prevent the spread of flu.

“We’re seeing an increase in flu cases in our hospitals and wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent yourself from catching or spreading the virus.

“If someone brings flu into a hospital, it can pose a real risk to the health of patients and cause sickness among our staff, so we need to do everything we can to keep the virus at bay.”