Berlin Hospitals Recommend Face Masks Amidst High Respiratory Infections, but No Mandate
Berlin, Germany – With a surge in respiratory infections, Berlin hospitals are urging patients and visitors to wear face masks, but a mandatory requirement is not being implemented.
Charité:
The Charité, Berlin’s largest university hospital, advises patients to don masks outside their rooms and visitors to wear them throughout the hospital, especially if they exhibit cold symptoms.
Vivantes:
Vivantes recommends patients with respiratory infections to wear masks when interacting with others, regardless of the current infection wave. Staff members experiencing similar symptoms are encouraged to work remotely or away from patients, utilizing mouth-nose protection.
DRK-Kliniken:
At the DRK-Kliniken, patients suspected of having influenza undergo PCR testing. Upon suspicion, all staff in direct contact with the patient must wear FFP2 masks. The hospital discourages visitors if cold symptoms are present, and mask-wearing is suggested for non-urgent or mild cases.
Influenza Surge:
Berlin is experiencing an unusually early and severe influenza season, with over 8,540 cases reported to the Landesamt für Gesundheit (Lageso) since its onset. The actual number of cases is likely higher due to underreporting.
Recent Decline:
However, a recent decline in cases has been observed. In the week between February 3 and 9, Lageso reported 1,420 influenza cases, significantly lower than the previous week’s count of around 2,030.
Influenza Virus Distribution:
The decline is attributed to a decrease in Influenza-A virus infections. In contrast, Influenza-B detections have risen compared to the previous week.
COVID-19 Status:
Coronavirus detections in wastewater have declined noticeably since the beginning of the year, indicating a waning of COVID-19 infections.
Importance of Preventive Measures:
While face masks are not mandatory, hospitals in Berlin strongly advocate their use to curb the spread of respiratory infections. Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, remains crucial.
Visitor Cautions:
Hospitals advise caution when visiting individuals with respiratory infections, as the risk of transmission is higher. If visiting is deemed essential, it is recommended to wear a mask and limit the duration of contact.
Increased Testing Capacity:
Due to the high number of staff and patient illnesses, access to testing has been simplified to facilitate early diagnosis. PCR testing is employed in cases of suspected influenza.
Community Responsibility:
Individuals with cold or flu symptoms are urged to be mindful of their potential to infect others and act responsibly by staying home and seeking medical attention when necessary.
