Patients and visitors at hospitals across south Wales are being told to wear masks to control the spread of infection amid concerns about an increase in flu cases.
Cardiff and Vale, Hywel Dda, Anuerin Bevan and Cwm Taf Morgannwg health boards all announced new mask-wearing rules on Friday.
It comes as figures suggest respiratory syncytial virus (RV) is past its peak, but doctors in Wales are seeing an increase in patients with influenza symptoms.
One health board said masks were crucial to “keep the virus at bay”.
Public Health Wales figures released on Christmas Eve showed the GP consultation rate for influenza in Wales was 33.1 per 100,000 practice population in week 51 of 2024 – up from 21.4 consultations per 100,000 in week 50.
Cardiff and Vale health board said masks would be required in all of its assessment, emergency and waiting areas, and by staff in all clinical areas, “in light of rising cases of flu in the community and across our hospital sites”.
It said flu cases were predicted to peak by the end of next week and urged people not to visit the hospital if they had respiratory infection symptoms.
Hywel Dda health board echoed this request, adding visits to its acute medical assessment unit at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, were being further restricted and could be arranged via the ward sister only.
Meinir Williams, deputy head of nursing at the hospital, also urged people to get their annual flu vaccinations to further reduce spread.
In a statement, Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said: “From today (Friday), until further notice, you’ll be asked to wear a mask when you arrive to help prevent the spread of flu.
“We’re seeing an increase in flu cases in our hospitals and wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent yourself from catching or spreading the virus.
“If someone brings flu into a hospital, it can pose a real risk to the health of patients and cause sickness among our staff, so we need to do everything we can to keep the virus at bay.”
Aneurin Bevan health board, which covers counties in the Gwent area, also introduced a mask-wearing requirement “effective immediately”, to “protect vulnerable patients and reduce transmission risks”.
