'Wear masks in all areas' plea after flu cases surge

Health board issues alert for hospital clinical departments to help fight virus

- By STEVE BAGNALL Daily Post Reporter [e-mail]

NORTH Wales' health board is asking people to wear masks in "all clinical areas" of its hospitals as the NHS battles a surge in "super flu" cases across the UK.

Last week Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board [BCUHB] urged all patients, visitors and staff to wear face masks at emergency departments or other admission, assessment and triage areas of hospitals.

They have now extended that advice to all clinical areas amid concerns over the number of people falling sick with flu and other winter illnesses.

A BCUHB statement said: "We are extending face mask requirements following an increase in the number of patients with flu and other respiratory illnesses attending our sites over recent days.

"Anyone attending any of our hospitals in North Wales, including community hospitals, should wear a face mask unless they are exempt because of a health condition. We will be providing face masks at hospital entrances and in clinical areas.