Covid-19, bronchiolitis… return of compulsory masks in these hospitals

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– Wearing a mask is again compulsory at AP-HP.

In Île-de-France, the mask is now compulsory in hospitals: this is what the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Île-de-France announced, our colleagues at Parisian. Two elements pushed the health authorities to make this decision. First there is the resurgence, albeit limited, of Covid-19 cases. According to Public Health France, the incidence rate is currently 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Although the situation is far from alarming, the figures are up slightly compared to the previous week.

But above all, it is the cases of bronchiolitis that are worrying. The situation is normal in most of the country, but the epidemic alert level has been triggered in Île-de-France, the West Indies and Guyana with a continued increase in visits to emergency rooms. In a hospital environment, bronchiolitis represents 8.7% of emergency room visits, reaching even 16.7% in the under-two age groupaccording to Public Health France.

Three other departments on pre-epidemic alert

Therefore, all patients and the medical staff members must wear a mask in a hospital environment, and this “upon entry into spaces where patients circulate”specifies the Île-de-France University Hospital. The CHU also clarifies to our colleagues that the “workers in contact with patients (including ambulance drivers, volunteers)” as well as the “visitors aged over six years” are affected by this provision.

Outside of Île-de-France, the Antilles and Guyana are therefore affected by this epidemic phase. Note that three other departments are on pre-epidemic alert: Normandy, Hauts-de-France and Brittany. According to Public Health France, the levels of cases linked to bronchiolitis are still “lower than those observed in the three years preceding the same period” et “similar to those observed at the same period during the seasons preceding the pandemic”. No alert, however, regarding cases of flu.