Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICS advises the wearing of masks in all healthcare settings

Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICS are advising that face masks be re-introduced into all areas of Primary Care (including community pharmacy) with immediate effect. Patients should also be advised to wear face coverings when in the premises. This is to try and offer the workforce the best level of protection.

Background
The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) latest analysis suggests that Omicron BA.5 is growing 35.1% faster than Omicron BA.2, while Omicron BA.4 is growing approximately 19.1% faster. This suggests that BA.5 is likely to become or already has become the dominant COVID-19 variant in the UK.
Clinical practice are seeing more symptomatic patients being admitted to hospitals and clusters of cases across social, community and acute care. Clinical presentation has changed and whilst they are not seeing the severe pneumonitis associated with COVID-19 in earlier waves, they are seeing more significant disease with Omicron BA.4&5, particularly affecting the lower respiratory tract with new oxygen requirement.
Local Trusts and ambulance services have already moved to re-introduce masks into all clinical areas and some have reintroduced masks into non-clinical areas.
Whilst the majority of transmission will be occurring within the community rather than healthcare premises, the re-introduction of masks will reduce the risk of acquisition whilst at work and may protect the resilience of the workforce at a critical time. If you will like further advice please contact your local Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Specialist or contact the seven day IPC service at hiow.c19ipc@nhs.net or 08703156601.