Mónica García, Minister of Health, raised the use of masks in the supermarket and the busamong others, facing the flu season through the draft disease prevention and control measures that the Ministry of Health sent to the media this Wednesday. The progress of the text comes the day before Health is trying to reach consensus among all communities within the Public Health Commission regarding the circulation of Covid-19, influenza or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
The Ministry of Health advised wearing a mask throughout the respiratory virus season. Instead, proposed narrowing its use according to four risk scenarios, in which it will go from recommended to people with symptoms assess its mandatory nature in hospital waiting and emergency rooms. There would be four levels: risk scenario 0, 1, 2 and 3.
The four scenarios will be classified according to a series of indicators: incidence rate, hospitalization, bed occupancy or intensive care admissions, among others, which will be reviewed every week.
ANDThese indicators will be extracted mainly from the surveillance system for acute respiratory infections in Spain (SiVIRA).but also the register of temporary incapacity procedures (IT); the wastewater control tool; the daily mortality monitoring system (MoMo); Information on vaccination (SIVAMIN) and information on healthcare capacity and occupancy of community hospitals.
With symptoms, mask
Each scene involves a battery of performances, but Health considers that some should be common to allamong them, recommending surgical masks and self-isolation when symptoms appear. Other prevention recommendations such as vaccination, hygiene, “in particular” hand hygiene, should apply throughout the season; prioritize outdoor spaces, avoid crowds and ventilate spaces properly.
Scenario 1: recommended in vulnerable areas of health centers. When transmission indicators are at a low or moderate level, unless “there are reasons” to assign a higher or lower level.
- People with symptoms: the mask is always recommended for them; At this level, they must, “as far as possible”, minimize their interactions and apply respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene measures for 5 days after the appearance of symptoms. AND, If your position allows it, telework.
- Residential centers: Workers with symptoms should be relocated to areas where there is no direct contact with vulnerable people and, if this is not possible, they should be disconnected within the first 5 days of the onset of symptoms. symptoms. Once reintegrated, they will continue to use the mask continuously until at least complete remission.
- Hospitals, health centers and similar: Masks will be recommended for healthcare workers, patients and their companions in vulnerable areas such as chemotherapy treatment rooms or transplant units..
Scenario 2: indicated for everyone in waiting rooms and emergency rooms. The indicators in this scenario will be at a high level, unless “there are reasons to assign a higher or lower level of risk.”
- People with symptoms: Early diagnosis will be encouraged and the use of antivirals will be evaluated.
- Non-pharmacological measures: strengthen ventilation, cleaning and disinfection and recommend the wearing of masks for people “whose professions lead them to numerous face-to-face contacts with the public and whenever they interact with people exhibiting symptoms compatible or confirmed cases.
- Residential centers: masks will be “actively” recommended for people at risk of developing serious complications in supermarkets, stores and public transport, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, gymnasiums, dance halls or large outdoor events.
- Health centers: the mask will become “indicated” both for workers and for patients and accompanying persons in common places such as waiting rooms or hospital emergencies, “evaluating its obligation in general or in centers which, depending on of their specific situation and their vulnerability, are deemed to be “determined.”
Scenario 3: Complementary and “exceptional” measures. When the indicators are at a “very high” level or there is information indicating a “pandemic risk”, other measures will be added, such as strengthening coordination between the different territories through the extraordinary summons of the plenary session of the Interterritorial Council. .
