Hospitals reintroducing face masks as winter flu cases surge

THE wearing of face masks is to be reintroduced at some North East hospitals as the surge in winter flu cases continues.

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Staff, patients and visitors will be required to wear face coverings

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust has reinstated the pandemic requirement of using face coverings across many areas of their hospitals.

Staff, patients and visitors to hospitals in South Tyneside and Sunderland will be required to wear a face mask and be urged to clean their hands when coming in and out of the healthcare facilities.

A “worst-case scenario” flu season has meant that masking may be required again for some people.

As rates of flu show no signs of slowing, combined with other winter illnesses spreading in the local community, healthcare leaders at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have implemented the preventative measures until the end of January.