Covid-era mask rules are creeping back into daily life. (Image: Getty)
A surge in infections has promoted the return of face mask mandates across many US states as the NHS also warns of winter illnesses.
The United States is bracing for a wave after many families gathered to celebrate New Year and Christmas causing an array of infections to surge.
During the Christmas period, cases of , flu, RSV (a respiratory illness that causes colds), and norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) all increased.
The climbing number of cases has raised concerns among health officials emphasising preventive measures to help curb the viruses.
This has prompted a return of mask mandates in some states; a hospital system in Wisconsin this week became the latest to reinstate them with visitors.
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Some US states have issued a return of mask mandates. (Image: Getty)
It says that visitors will now need to mask up “when in contact with patients or in congregate areas, including patient rooms and other areas designated by signage”.
-era mask rules are creeping back into daily life. Hospitals in parts of California, Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey have also reinstated the rules for staff and visitors.
In guidance posted online, New Jersey’s largest hospital system, RWJBarnabas Health, said visitors would now be expected to “wear an appropriate face mask” and “maintain physical distance”.
It added: “We will offer you a new mask for source control or may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask.”
Those travelling on public transport in New York city are also being urged to wear a mask. (Image: Getty)
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Officials are also urging people travelling on public transport in New York City to consider wearing a face mask.
Only a couple of months ago, New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, considered reimposing a ban on face masks in the Big Apple’s transit system to help deter crime.
There have also been an estimated 2.5 to 4.4million cases between October 1 and December 7, estimates suggest, including 72,000 to 120,000 hospitalisations and 8,200 to 13,000 deaths.
Worryingly, data shows that norovirus cases have been at their highest level for this time of year since 2012, while RSV hospitalizations are spiking, up nearly 40% in two weeks.
And the UK is not safe from the “quad-demic” as hospitals here are battling rising flu, , RSV and norovirus cases.
The four viruses have circulated widely throughout December, with flu cases increasing sharply, raising concerns that services could become overwhelmed.
At the beginning of the month, around 95% of NHS beds were already occupied in England, a level typically seen only in the depths of winter.
Data released by the NHS showed an average of 1,861 flu patients were hospitalised every day in the first week of December.
NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said on New Year’s Eve: “The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen, as the ‘quad-demic’ continues to increase pressure across services.
“Frontline NHS staff are currently under significant pressure – and as families and friends have gathered over the festive period and to celebrate the new year, we expect the peak of seasonal viruses is yet to come.”