NHS hospitals reintroduce face mask requirement as soaring flu cases see critical incidents declared
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The number of flu patients in English hospitals has quadrupled in a month, latest NHS figures show. Multiple NHS hospitals have reintroduced a requirement to wear face masks in clinical areas as they declared critical incidents due to surging demand and winter viruses.
![[A general view of staff on a NHS hospital ward]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/00/6521ec4ea71316e812246a1747c79e81Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM1NTk0MjM0-2.70616430.jpg)
The number of people being admitted with flu in England has quadrupled in the past month, the latest NHS England figures showed, as several trusts were forced to restrict visiting procedures. The number of flu patients in hospital beds has hit an average of 4,469 each day over the past week, including 211 in critical care – a total which was also up year-on-year, amid fears that plummeting temperatures this weekend could exacerbate health conditions suffered by the elderly and vulnerable.
![[The best way to protect yourself and loved ones is to get your winter vaccinations, Shrewsbury and Telford’s interim chief nursing officer said]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/18/15/9e9d631b48f12f8da05a4c120071dae0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0NjIwMTYw-2.68677551.jpg)
Health bosses cited “high levels of demand and winter viruses” as they declared a critical incident at East Surrey Hospital to help ensure it can “continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most”. Patients whose conditions are not life-threatening were asked to use other services such as NHS 111 online, while some non-urgent operations and treatments would be rescheduled, health chiefs said.
Ed Cetti, chief medical officer at the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “Due to high levels of demand and a sharp increase in winter viruses which is impacting staffing levels and how we move patients around our site, our services are under significant pressure.
“Our staff are working around the clock to minimise disruption to those already on our wards, treat all patients coming into our Emergency Department, and continue to discharge patients who no longer require acute care to ensure we have available beds for those who need admission, but please only attend East Surrey Hospital in a life-threatening emergency.
