Mask requirements are returning for clinical staff and some patients in London hospitals as healthcare providers prepare for virus season.

London Health Sciences Center (LHSC) and St. St. Joseph’s Health Care London will require all patients with fever or respiratory symptoms to wear a mask unless they are in an inpatient bed.

Doctors, nurses and other staff are also required to wear masks when treating people in inpatient and outpatient clinics, including emergency rooms.

Hospital staff said the mandate is limited to those people, but everyone is encouraged to wear a mask to increase protection.

LHSC vice president Dr. “We are starting to see COVID numbers increasing and we are concerned that with respiratory virus and Flu coming on board this will lead to more admissions and put pressure on our inpatient floors,” said Kevin Chan. medicine, research and academics said on Monday.

Masks will be kept at hospital entrances. The new protocols will come into force on Thursday. 31 October.

Last week the Middlesex London Health Unit said one person was hospitalized with flu and another with RSV. It was also stated that hospital visits by people seeking treatment for respiratory diseases were high.