The number of flu cases being reported in Andalucia has now surpassed epidemic thresholds after tripling in a week.
According to regional health minister Antonio Sanz, the incidence rate of the illness currently sits at 33.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said face masks in health settings are recommended, but stopped short of making them mandatory, leaving it up to centres and hospitals to make their own rulings.
He warned that this year’s flu season is proving ‘particularly virulent’ due to a circulating strain – believed be the K variant – that has not been dominant in recent seasons, leaving the population with lower immunity.
As a result, some hospitals and health centres have already decided to make masks mandatory amid a surge in infections.
The recommendation to wear masks in clinics, health centres, hospitals and care homes will remain in force until at least January 8, though the Junta says the timeline is likely to be extended depending on how the flu season evolves.
An order published last week states that mask use becomes mandatory for healthcare staff, patients and visitors when the region enters the epidemic phase at a low level.
The Andalucia health service (SAS), will be monitoring the situation on a weekly basis and will decide if and when to make face masks mandatory in all health centres.
The Andalucian approach contrasts with that of Catalonia, where the regional government today made masks mandatory in health centres, hospitals and care homes.
It follows the region of Murcia, which was the first autonomous community to bring back mandatory face masks last week.
