Face masks are back for patients, visitors and staff at hospital hit by wave of viruses

Face masks have been reintroduced at a hospital after it was hit with a wave of viruses and infections. Almost five years since face coverings became mandatory across the UK due to Covid-19, The Royal Bolton Hospital has announced today that it will be reintroducing face masks in patient areas.

The ruling means that in inpatient areas, all staff, patients and visitors have to wear surgical face masks from today, reports the Manchester Evening News.It comes as the whole country faces a 'tidal wave' of Covid-19, flu, RSV and norovirus.

The NHS has warned it could be seeing its worst ever winter flu season as cases continue to soar, with Greater Manchester seeing almost three times the number of people in hospital with flu compared to this time last year.Hospitals throughout the region are also dealing with a surge in patients including those suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, which often worsen in cold weather.

The impending cold and icy conditions pose additional risks for individuals with long-term health issues and those who are more vulnerable, says the health service, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.The NHS has called the huge uptick in illnesses a 'quad-demic' of Covid-19, flu, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. "Royal Bolton Hospital is introducing face masks in patient areas to prevent the spread of viruses and infection," said a spokesperson for the Royal Bolton Hospital today."The hospital has seen a high number of flu cases in recent weeks, with 42 patients in the hospital with flu on Thursday 2 January, up from an average of seven in September."To address this, all staff, patients and visitors are being asked to wear fluid repellent surgical face masks in inpatient areas from