Face masks are being brought back in one Greater Manchester hospital, as it is hit with a wave of viruses and infections. The Royal Bolton Hospital has announced today (Monday, January 6) that it will be reintroducing face masks in patient areas.
The ruling means that all staff, patients and visitors have to wear surgical face masks in inpatient areas from today. It comes as Greater Manchester, along with the rest of the 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.