The Ministry of Health has issued new recommendations to health departments across the Valencian Community regarding the use of face masks in healthcare settings as a preventative measure against respiratory virus transmission, such as COVID.
Although the region remains at a low epidemic level, with 787.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants recorded last week, authorities are urging vigilance in anticipation of a possible resurgence of respiratory infections during the winter season.
According to the new guidance, surgical masks are recommended in the following situations:
- For symptomatic individuals when in shared public or healthcare spaces.
- For healthcare professionals attending to symptomatic patients.
- For all individuals, including patients, healthcare staff, and companions, in vulnerable environments such as chemotherapy treatment rooms, transplant units, intensive care units (ICUs), and hospital or primary care emergency departments.
Health departments and facility managers are authorised to extend these measures based on their own risk assessments and the advice of Preventive Medicine Services. Local healthcare centres may implement additional internal protocols where patients and families congregate, ensuring each site’s infection-control measures reflect its operational capacity and local circumstances.
Part of the Regional Contingency Plan
The recommendations form part of the Contingency Plan for Increases in the Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), previously distributed to all Valencian health departments. This plan establishes strategies to guarantee continuity of care during seasonal respiratory epidemics, defining specific actions according to the level of viral transmissibility and each centre’s capacity.
The measures outlined include:
- Public health recommendations to limit virus spread.
- Organisational and operational protocols for both primary care and hospital settings.
- Clear guidance on when to escalate or reduce protective measures depending on case numbers.
The primary aim, the Health Ministry said, is to ensure that the Valencian Health System remains “fully operational and resilient” in the face of fluctuating respiratory virus activity.
Vaccination Remains the Main Line of Defence
The plan also reinforces the importance of vaccination as the most effective tool for preventing both influenza and other acute respiratory infections.
Since 3 November, Valencian health centres have been offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to the general population, following an initial phase targeting high-risk groups. The Health Department has strengthened the vaccination campaign through:
- Extended opening hours in primary care centres.
- An online booking system and SMS reminders for priority groups.
- Focused vaccination drives in nursing homes, schools, special education centres, and day centres.
Officials emphasised that widespread vaccination, combined with basic preventative measures such as mask use in sensitive environments, remains crucial for protecting both healthcare capacity and vulnerable populations during the winter months.
Calls for Accountability After Fatal Palm Tree Collapse in Torrevieja
