The GRIPE evaluation – said to peak in 10 days – has brought back Covid-like restrictions at several major UK hospitals.
The decision to re-introduce mandatory face masks comes in response to a wave of patients being treated for the “quadruple demy” of converging winter illnesses.
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Major hospitals across the UK have re-introduced the wearing of face masks Credit: Getty
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Leicester Royal Infirmary is one of the hospitals that have re-introduced measures like CovidCredit: Alamy
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Glenfield also responded to the rise in flu casesCredit: Alamy
The strain has led other hospitals to ask patients not to visit the emergency room unless absolutely necessary, as they face “extremely high demand”.
A combination of influenza, Covid-19, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that causes the common cold, and norovirus broke out this winter.
The Welsh Health Board has issued a stark warning about when the nation can expect the worst of these winter illnesses.
Cardiff and Vale Health Board said the flu wave could “peak in the next 10 days”, according to Sky News.
The UKHSA’s latest report found that cases of Covid and RSV – which cause colds and serious lung infections – are stabilizing, while flu and vomiting infections have increased in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The risk of contracting the four diseases rises sharply at this time of year as people spend more time indoors with friends and family.
During the pandemic, wearing face masks became mandatory in hospitals and other public places to prevent the spread of Covid.
Masks help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by catching droplets produced by coughing, sneezing or talking.
They also protect wearers from inhaling droplets containing viruses.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board Deputy Director Richard Hughes has revealed why emergency department visitors are being asked to wear face masks.
Flu is likely to follow in children and adults, NHS chief executive says
He said: “When influenza enters a hospital and circulates within it, it can cause significant problems, posing a real risk to patient health and causing our staff to be absent, so we must do everything we can to keep the virus at bay.”
Chesterfield Royal Infirmary and University Hospitals Leicester Trust, including Leicester General, Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield, all immediately introduced mask policies.
A spokesman for Chesterfield Royal told the BBC: “This is in line with the rise in flu cases at our hospital and our agreed thresholds which will be reviewed regularly.”
University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust said: “Increasing colleague absences due to seasonal illness, combined with higher patient caseloads, are having a significant impact on how quickly we can provide timely care.”
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Chesterfield Royal Hospital has also reinstated the rule for staff and patientsCredit: Alamy
On Friday, hospitals in Lincolnshire began reintroducing face masks for patients and visitors in certain areas.
“This infection prevention measure is being reintroduced in high-risk areas due to increased cases of Covid-19, influenza A and RSV in hospital and community settings,” United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said.
‘stay away’
Royal Stoke University Hospital has declared its eighth critical incident this year due to “increasing pressure” on emergency departments.
Patients have been warned of longer than usual delays while attempts are made to discharge to ease the bed blockage.
On Thursday, December 19, patients presenting at the emergency department were expected to wait more than four hours to be seen.
The first critical incident at the hospital was announced last November.
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Royal Stoke University Hospital has warned patients attending A&E to wait more than four hours to be seenCredit: Alamy
The declaration also includes Stafford County Hospital – both run by the University Hospitals of the North Midlands (UHNM).
Meanwhile, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board issued an urgent warning this week that emergency services and departments at the Royal Glamorgan, Prince Charles and Princess of Wales Hospitals are extremely busy.
It is said that hospital beds are already taken, and emergency departments have a higher than usual number of people seeking care, and they are asking for the public’s support.
Visiting restrictions on two wards at Noble’s Hospital on the Isle of Man, originally imposed due to a “significant increase” in norovirus cases, have now been lifted.
The other two hospitals to declare critical incidents this week are The Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust said it “currently has no capacity to accept any further patients requiring our care”.
The shortage of hospital beds is caused by a high admission rate, a large number of infectious patients requiring isolation and a low discharge rate.
How can I protect myself?
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself from these winter viruses.
The NHS is urging Britons to get vaccinated as cases and hospital admissions rise.
Flu, covid and RSV vaccines are free for those who meet NHS eligibility criteria.
Adults aged 65 and over, care home residents and people aged six months to 64 with certain underlying health conditions are entitled to free Covid and flu shots on the NHS.
Those who do not qualify for the free vaccine can purchase it at a local pharmacy. There is some evidence to suggest that wearing a face mask can protect you from getting infected by bugs.
The NHS has recently launched a vaccination program against RSV. As of November 2024, more than one million have received the RSV vaccination.
The jab is available to those considered most vulnerable: seniors aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women.
Those who are not eligible can buy a single dose of the RSV vaccine from the Boots pharmacy chain for £245.
There are currently no vaccines for norovirus – although some are in development.
Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from norovirus is to properly disinfect your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, throw away tissues, let fresh air circulate and stay home if you are unwell.
Delays in releasing the RSV vaccine may also mean that some vulnerable people received it too late this year to be protected.
In a statement released on Monday, December 16, the trust said: “Beds at both hospitals are full and attendance at our emergency departments is extremely high.”
Patients with non-urgent problems have been warned they could face “extremely long waits” at A&E.
Instead, they should call 111 or visit their GP, pharmacy or emergency room.
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Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board issued an emergency warning this week that services are extremely busyCredit: Alamy
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