The measure was proposed to counter the increase in the number of respiratory viruses in Spain in recent days.
An extraordinary meeting of the sector’s ministers took place on Monday, chaired by Minister Mónica García. The ministry has released a proposal to which communities could respond.
Health sources say that the ministry’s proposal aims to provide “the same level of protection to all citizens” and give legal coverage to the communities that have already decreed it (Valencia, Catalonia and Murcia).
Scientifically proven and well received by the population
In an audio message sent to the media, García reported that during the online meeting the use of this measure was discussed, deeming the measure “effective and a demonstration of common sense”. Mandatory face mask use is supported by scientific evidence and is “well received by the population”.
The initiative of some communities to extend the obligation to use to pharmacies was also discussed. As well as the need to provide legal support to communities “of different political orientations who have already introduced the obligation into their healthcare systems”.
These autonomous regions recommend masks
However, many regions are strongly against the mandatory use of masks and are in favor of only recommending their use.
Cantabria has chosen to maintain the recommendation to use the mask in health centers, without making it mandatory, because the situation is “not so alarming”. The peak would already be over.
The regional health councilor of the community of Madrid, Fátima Matute, has ruled out the obligation “for the moment”, recommending the voluntary use of masks in hospitals, homes and health centers.
Navarra is also not in favor of making it mandatory. The Ministry of Health believes that the adoption of this provision would entail a regulatory adjustment that “should be studied in depth” and has expressed its opinion in favor of recommending it.
Even the Ministry of Health of Castilla y León is not thinking of making masks mandatory and has put up posters in health centers with the message: “Your responsibility protects the most vulnerable”.
On Friday, Galicia extended the recommendation by 15 days to continue absorbing the wave of infections. The Basque Country also recommends wearing a mask.
Castilla-La Mancha proposed convening a meeting with the Alert Committee and the Health Commission “so that the technical experts can say what the recommended measures are”. The regional government has also asked not to make masks mandatory, but only to recommend them, and appeals to the population’s sense of responsibility.
Andalusia also asks the Ministry of Health for “technical criteria” to evaluate the “technical accuracy” of the use of masks, which the autonomous region recommends their use in health and social care centers, but does not make it mandatory.
These regions require (partially) the use of masks
The first region to oblige the use of masks in health centers was the Valencian Community. The preventive measure has been in place since Friday due to the increase in respiratory infections.
Catalonia followed suit, with the Ministry of Health making its use mandatory on Monday, while in the region of Murcia it became so on Saturday.
The Government of Aragon has opted for a partial obligation, since it is limited only to health workers and health workers from social-health centers, and recommends it to all citizens living in closed areas.
The support of the medical world
The mandatory use of masks in health centers is supported by the Family Medicine Associations, the Spanish Association of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) and the Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Health (FADSP), who even propose to extend the obligation to use public transport and areas without sufficient ventilation.
Obligation expired on July 5th
If the mandatory use of masks had been imposed in health centers, this would have brought back into force a measure that lapsed six months ago, on 5 July 2023, when the Council of Ministers agreement banning the use of masks was published in the BOE it is no longer mandatory to wear it in health and social-health centers and services and in pharmacies.
Hospital admissions are increasing
According to the latest data from the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) of the Carlos III Health Institute, hospital admissions due to influenza increased by 60% in a week to 9.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, or 3, 6% more than the previous week, and increasing since the end of October.
The overall rate of acute respiratory infections in primary care in the last week of December was 952.9 cases per 100,000, well above the 533.4 at the start of the month. The pressure on health centers in Spain is currently still extremely high.
2024-01-08 15:24:27
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