We’ll have to get back into the habit. At the Le Mans hospital center (Sarthe), wearing a mask is again OBLIGATORY since this week within the buildings for patients, but also for accompanying persons and visitors, indicates the establishment. A decision motivated by the resurgence of Covid cases and the increase in various epidemics of acute respiratory infections. And which is far from isolated. This Thursday, the Vendôme hospital center (Loir-et-Cher), for example, announced the same measure, which will apply “until March 31, 2024 for staff and visitors”.
Faced with the increase in cases, other hospitals have recently made this choice, such as the Mont-Saint-Michel hospital group (Manche) which “notes a mostly mild form of the disease” but which is keen to reinstate the barrier gestures (mask, hand hygiene, physical distancing). Since the end of September, the measure has also been in place in La Rochelle “in order to protect patients and professionals” in the hospital center, where hospitalizations are increasing. At the end of August, it was in Mont-de-Marsan where the wearing of a mask was again requested “in all care areas (care services, consultations including waiting rooms)” of the hospital.
“Clusters in several services”
Three weeks ago, the AP-HP reported on its website that “clusters, including patients and professionals, have appeared in several departments, particularly in geriatrics”. She recommended that everyone wear a mask “at all times in departments which receive patients at risk of severe form of Covid-19 and in any department in which a cluster is active”. It is also indicated for anyone “who has signs of respiratory infection”.
While the virus has made a comeback in recent weeks, the Covid vaccination campaign, targeted at people at risk, has been brought forward to early October. Before the start, in a few days, of the fight against the flu.