return of compulsory mask wearing in hospital, in the face of the bronchiolitis epidemic

Ile-de-France hospitals are calling for vigilance. In all establishments of the Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), wearing a mask is again compulsory for anyone aged over six years, while cases of bronchiolitis and Covid-19 are actively circulating in recent weeks and that and other respiratory infections are preparing to make their comeback this winter.

The mask must now be worn by professionals, volunteers, but also patients, and this “upon entry into spaces where patients circulate”indicates the AP-HP in a press release. That is to say in the corridors, waiting rooms, or in consultations. The Île-de-France University Hospital also specified that “these recommendations will be updated to take into account the evolution of winter epidemics”.

An outbreak of bronchiolitis cases in babies

A decision taken as cases of Covid-19 are increasing in number with this gradual return of winter, and the region is facing an epidemic of bronchiolitis, which is particularly prevalent among babies and young children. According to the latest data from Public Health France, 1,659 emergency visits by children under two years old were recorded from November 4 to 10, i.e. 8% more than the previous week. Among them, 458 had to be hospitalized and four of them had to be admitted to intensive care.

Furthermore, if cases of flu and Covid-19 in hospital are currently stable, health professionals remain vigilant, particularly with children under five years old, who are vulnerable to these respiratory infections. Public Health France recalls that the joint vaccination campaign against influenza and against Covid-19 began on October 15 for the people most at risk, health professionals and other populations in contact with vulnerable people. And that “the passive immunization campaign for newborns against RSV infections [Virus respiratoire syncytial, responsable de la bronchiolite, NDLR] is in progress ».