The country's government's recent policy has also aroused opposition.
Face masks will become mandatory again in Spanish hospitals and health centers from Wednesday, says The Guardian.
The country's government made the decision to ban masks after the number of influenza and corona cases in the country increased significantly. According to The Guardian, the latest mask requirement for hospitals and pharmacies was lifted in the country about six months ago.
“We have discussed and thought hard about the importance of face masks, especially in hospitals, when it comes to protecting both patients and healthcare professionals”, the Spanish Minister of Health Monica Garcia stated on Monday.
“This is an effective and reasonable measure, supported by scientific evidence, and which has been well received by citizens,” the minister continued.
The government's new policy has also aroused opposition. Regional Director of the Autonomous Region of Madrid Isabel Díaz Ayuson according to which the decision is unnecessary and unfounded.
“Madrid has fewer cases because it has been working against influenza for a long time: strategies, recommendations, daily monitoring and vaccinations,” Ayuso commented on social media.
World Health Organization According to (WHO), by the end of 2023, almost 14 million confirmed corona infections and almost 122,000 deaths caused by the virus had been recorded in Spain.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the number of respiratory infections had increased in most EU countries at the end of the year. However, according to the center's report, the statistics must be viewed with caution, as testing and reporting of cases decreased significantly during the holiday season at the end of the year. The surge in respiratory tract infections is expected to continue in the coming months as well.
Also in Finland, the turn of the year was approaching with several virus epidemics intensifying. Several viruses causing respiratory tract infections are currently circulating in the population. The coronavirus is also on the move.
The chief physician of Hus Asko Järvinen assessed to STT at the end of the year that this time the flu season started earlier than usual in Finland, already in November.
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