The Murcian Health Service will establish from today the mandatory use of masks in public health centres such as hospitals, health centres, primary care emergency services and surgeries in the Region, due to the increase in the incidence of respiratory infections.
The Regional Minister of Health, Juan José Pedreño, recalled that «with this measure we want to protect all patients and professionals. We also encourage the use of masks in any area when there are symptoms of respiratory disease, to avoid infecting other people».
Since 30 December, the Murcian Health Service (SMS) has been offering free face masks in the emergency departments of its ten hospitals and in primary care emergencies, health centres and surgeries for patients and their companions. This measure, together with the obligatory use of masks, is aimed at preventing the spread of respiratory infections among the population and healthcare professionals.
People with symptoms are advised to reduce contact with vulnerable people, wear masks and avoid crowds.
At the same time, it recommends extreme protective measures to protect oneself and thus avoid contagion and the circulation of viruses, and calls on the general public to wear a mask when they report symptoms such as a cold, cough or any symptoms compatible with a respiratory virus, especially if they are going to be in contact with vulnerable patients.
The overall incidence of respiratory infections has increased by 23.4 per cent in the last week. The pressure of care has increased markedly in recent days due to the increase in respiratory infections, mainly due to influenza.
The Murcian Health Service has more than 4,000 more professionals than before the pandemic and all the hospitals in the region have contingency plans in place to provide all the necessary resources, based on the needs of each hospital, to face the coming weeks. For this reason, in order to improve care in the health centres, the devices are being reinforced according to the needs due to the care load generated.