Islanders asked to wear masks in Jersey's hospital to stop flu spread

Wednesday, 8 January 2025 07:00

Islanders are being asked to wear masks in clinical areas of Jersey's General Hospital, to help combat the spread of flu.

The Health department has also made it mandatory for staff to wear masks, as part of new protocols to protect both workers and patients from respiratory viruses (RSV).

The peak of RSV activity in the island happened in December, but there are still around 25 people currently in hospital with respiratory viruses.

It comes as many UK hospitals are struggling with exceptionally high demands on their emergency services due to influenza. Northamptonshire, Cornwall, Liverpool, Hampshire, Birmingham and Plymouth hospitals all have critical incidents declared.

To prevent the spread of the virus here, we are asked to wear masks, make sure we are up-to-date on their vaccinations, observe proper hygiene and not come to the emergency department if we have flu symptoms, unless really necessary.

The hospital has been using air purifiers and vaccinating staff against flu and Covid. An extra ward has been opened to ease the pressure on bed space.

Ivan Muscat, Director of Infection Control, wants people to wear the masks even if they have no flu-like symptoms:

"We have introduced masks into clinical areas for staff and visitors because we know that 50% of people with flu don't have any symptoms.

"At a time with increase flu activity in the community, we need to ensure that there isn't spread of flu from asymptomatic individuals to our vulnerable patients - bearing in mind the vulnerable patients will suffer more severely than people that are fit and healthy."

Masks will be available for the public before they enter clinical areas.