Catalonia Imposes Mandatory Masks in Health Centers and Nursing Homes Amid Flu Surge
Catalonia enforces immediate mask mandates in health facilities due to a sharp rise in flu cases driven by the contagious K variant.
- • Catalonia mandates masks in health centers and nursing homes due to doubled flu cases.
- • Flu incidence reached 418 cases per 100,000 inhabitants with 24,969 new diagnoses last week.
- • The highly contagious K variant accounts for 69% of infections and drives the surge.
- • Hospitalizations for respiratory infections rose to 428 from 337 the previous week.
- • Vaccination coverage is 66% for those over 80 and 52% for ages 70-79.
Key details
Catalonia has mandated the use of masks in all health centers and nursing homes starting immediately to combat a significant surge in flu cases. Regional health minister Sílvia Paneque emphasized that this measure is crucial to protect vulnerable populations amidst a flu incidence rate that has doubled in the last week. According to data from the Sistema de Información para la Vigilancia de Infecciones en Cataluña (SIVIC), there were 24,969 new flu diagnoses between December 1 and 7, representing an incidence of 418 cases per 100,000 inhabitants — more than twice the previous week's figures.
The sharp increase is driven by the highly contagious K variant, making up 69% of current infections. Hospitalizations due to acute respiratory infections have risen sharply, with 428 patients admitted compared to 337 the week prior. Despite the flu surge, SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains low at an estimated 18 cases per 100,000, though respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases continue to climb.
Paneque urged the public to adopt mask-wearing immediately, even before the official resolution is published, citing that mask use in hospitals and nursing homes "helps save lives." She also encouraged vaccination, noting coverage rates of 66% among those over 80 and 52% for individuals aged 70 to 79. The flu peak has arrived about a month earlier than last year, with the incidence currently exceeding the peaks of the past three seasons.
The government’s rapid response highlights the urgency to protect high-risk groups, especially older adults, as viral respiratory infections surge during this early and intense flu season in Catalonia.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
