Hospitals to reintroduce face masks in Covid spike

The face masks must be worn in parts of the hospitals, including cancer wards, children's wards and the emergency department

Two hospitals are to reintroduce compulsory face masks in some areas in response to a growing number of Covid-19 cases.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said it would apply to parts of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital from Wednesday.

Face masks will be provided to visitors at both sites and the trust has asked people not to visit if they are suffering from any infection, such as a cold, flu, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting or a chest infection.

The trust said it was taking the precautions after receiving advice from NHS England.

The areas where face masks must be worn at all times are:

• Emergency Department

• Same Day Emergency Care, Acute Medical Unit, Acute Medical Assessment area

• Surgical Assessment Unit

• Children's Assessment Unit and Ward 19

• Ward 24 and Ward 17 Respiratory

• Cancer wards, including: Ward 23 Oncology/Haematology, Chemo Day Centre, Lingen Davies, Haematology clinics and Paediatric Oncology/Haematology

• Ward 35 Nephrology

• Neonatal unit

The trust said people who feel they are exempt must discuss this with a member of staff.

It also said if people feel unwell, but have a hospital appointment, they should contact the relevant department for advice.