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Rising COVID-19 cases leads to return of facemasks in Cornish hospitals

Person wearing a face covering for health reasons

A significant increase in COVID-19 cases and admissions has led to facemasks being reintroduced across Cornwall’s hospitals.

All patients (including outpatients), visitors and employees are being asked to wear facemasks once again from Monday 4 July 2022. This applies to:

  • our main hospitals in Truro, Penzance and Hayle
  • community hospitals
  • minor injury units
  • treatment centres

New sub-variants (BA.4 and BA.5) have driven rising cases and hospital admissions both locally and across the UK. There have been steady increases in the number of healthcare staff testing positive. This has added to additional strain on our resources.

“It’s important we keep a close eye on transmission rates and review and reintroduce measures when needed. Recently, we’ve seen a rise in cases again. It’s crucial we use the tools at our disposal to help protect not only our patients, but visitors and our colleagues too.

“Making mask wearing a requirement once again for staff is a decision we’ve taken at a time when we were already under sustained system pressure. So, to help ensure we can keep vital services running over the coming weeks and months, we are also encouraging everyone to wear a mask when visiting our sites.”

We’d also ask that people be kind to staff, who’ve been working incredibly hard to protect patients throughout the pandemic.” Kim O’Keeffe, Dual Chief Nurse

The current policy on visiting arrangements remains unchanged. Staff, patients, and visitors are still asked to continue to wash hands frequently with soap and water. Please also use the alcohol gel provided. This is in addition to wearing facemasks.

We intend to keep facemask wearing under review, alongside other COVID-19 measures such as visiting restrictions and social distancing requirements.

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