Several major UK hospitals have reintroduced Covid-style restrictions, including mandatory face masks, as they grapple with a surge of winter illnesses dubbed a “quad-demic”.
The measures come as healthcare facilities face “exceptionally high demand” from patients suffering from a combination of flu, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.
Multiple hospitals have been forced to declare critical incidents, with emergency departments experiencing severe overcrowding.
The Cardiff and Vale health board has warned that the flu surge is expected to peak within the next 10 days.
The Cardiff and Vale health board has warned that the flu surge is expected to peak within the next 10 days (Stock Image)
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The risk of catching these four illnesses increases significantly during winter months as people spend more time indoors with friends and family.
Masks play a crucial role in controlling these infections by trapping droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking, while also protecting wearers from inhaling virus-containing particles.
The UK Health Security Agency’s latest report indicates that while Covid and RSV cases have stabilised, both flu and vomiting bug infections surged in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Richard Hughes, deputy director of Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board, explained the urgency behind mask mandates: “When flu enters and circulates within a hospital it can cause significant problems, posing a real risk to the health of patients and causing absences among our staff.”
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The combination of these winter illnesses has put unprecedented strain on hospital resources, with staff absences compounding the challenge of managing rising patient numbers.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital and the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust have implemented immediate mask-wearing requirements across their facilities.
A Chesterfield Royal spokesperson told the BBC: “This aligns with rising flu cases in our hospital and our agreed thresholds, which will be regularly reviewed.”
The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust cited rising staff absences and increased patient cases as significantly impacting their ability to deliver timely care.
Lincolnshire hospitals joined in on the measure, with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust introducing masks in high-risk areas.
The trust explained: “This infection prevention measure is being reintroduced in high-risk areas due to increased cases of Covid-19, Influenza A, and RSV in hospitals and community settings.”
The affected Leicester facilities include Leicester General, Leicester Royal Infirmary, and Glenfield hospitals.
Royal Stoke University Hospital has declared its eighth critical incident of the year due to mounting pressure in A&E departments.
The declaration extends to County Hospital in Stafford, with both facilities run by University Hospitals of North Midlands.
At Royal Stoke, patients faced waits of over four hours to be seen at A&E on Thursday.
The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust has also declared critical incidents at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
The trust stated on Monday: “Beds across both hospitals are full and attendance at our emergency departments is extremely high.”
Masks play a crucial role in controlling infections by trapping droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking (Stock Image)
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The Hampshire hospitals’ crisis stems from high admission rates, numerous infectious patients requiring isolation, and low discharge rates.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health Board has also reported exceptional pressure at Royal Glamorgan, Prince Charles and Princess of Wales hospitals.
Hospitals across the UK are urging patients with non-urgent conditions to avoid A&E departments due to the current crisis.
Patients attending emergency departments have been warned they could face “extremely long waits” for treatment.
Healthcare officials are advising the public to seek alternative care options for non-urgent issues, including contacting 111, visiting a GP, pharmacy, or urgent treatment centre.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust emphasised there is “currently no capacity to admit further patients needing our care”.
The situation has prompted health boards to appeal for public support, with Cwm Taf Morgannwg noting that hospital beds are already occupied and emergency departments are experiencing higher than normal attendance.
Some relief has emerged on the Isle of Man, where visiting restrictions at Noble’s Hospital, initially imposed due to a “significant increase” in norovirus cases, have now been lifted.
