Face mask rules may be imposed as walk-in jab clinics to start

THE Betsi Cadwaladr health board will start walk-in flu and Covid vaccination centres next week and may introduce face mask rules if cases keep rising. Flu season has started early in Wales with concerns over the current variants.

- By OWEN HUGHES

Around 250 people needed inpatient care at North Wakes hospitals during October and November. This is the highest level of flu infections during the autumn months since 2022.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board - which covers Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Bridgend - has mandated mask wearing for everyone on its hospital sites until January.

The North Wales health board said it is not currently taking the same steps but may consider this if cases keep rising. They are though moving ahead on Monday with opening community clinics for walk-in Covid and flu jabs for those that are eligible. This was a pre-planned measure for December and not in direct response to rising cases.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Angela Wood said: "Our infection prevention and control teams are monitoring cases of flu and other winter respiratory illnesses at our hospital sites across North Wales very carefully.