Wear a face mask when visiting hospital reminder

HEALTH bosses have issued a reminder to visitors about wearing face masks, after Covid-19 infection rates quadrupled.

Although masking restrictions have been lifted in most public settings, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust has not changed its policy since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to ask visitors to hospitals and to wear an appropriate face covering when coming into hospital.

Dr Ken Agwuh, consultant microbiologist and director of infection prevention and control, said: “The reason for this is simple — we care for extremely vulnerable patients, and as such we must take every precaution to keep them safe and minimise the potential for infection.

“Masks are provided for free at every entry point to our hospital, and we ask that people wear them for the duration of their visit.

“We do understand that they are not particularly comfortable, however colleagues have worn them for two years, and will continue to do so in to the winter, so please support us whenever you are on site.

“If you cannot wear a mask due to a medical exemption, a clear visor will be provided.”

Highlighting the rise in coronavirus infection rates over the past few weeks, Dr Agwuh said: “At present, we are caring for around 80 patients with the illness, a figure which is up from 20 in early September.

“Can I ask local people to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of Covid-19, following the steps of ‘hands, face, space’ and ventilation to limit the spread to friends, family and loved ones, particularly as we head into the winter months, and to opt for the vaccination if it is offered.”

Health bosses are also asking people who have tested positive, or have a respiratory illness to avoid visiting the hospital until symptoms have resolved, unless they need urgent care and treatment.

The trust is still operating some visiting restrictions. Full details available at https://tinyurl.com/abufn9uw.