The Western Australia state government has decided to reintroduce mandatory mask-wearing at public hospitals from Nov. 20. The decision comes in response to an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and is based on the latest health recommendation judgment. State Premier Roger Cook believes the measure will help reduce the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable in the community.
Under the new mandates, staff and patients in high-risk clinical areas and critical care settings will have to wear surgical masks. These areas include haematology, oncology, organ transplant, and renal dialysis units. The measure is anticipated to reduce the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, and help in protecting vulnerable patients, especially in intensive care units.
Andy Robertson, a health official of the state, notes an increase in COVID-19 cases since early September, fuelled by the Omicron variants. Dr. Robertson recommended that all healthcare facility staff and visitors wear a mask in clinical areas of public hospitals based on the rising COVID-19 patients in these facilities. He also advised people to get a booster COVID-19 vaccination and to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings.
Conversely, there have been calls that mask-wearing in certain settings is not the most effective solution. Dr. Nick Coatsworth expressed the opinion that such measures are misplaced and do not address the underlying issues, which may have contributed to hospital and bed pressures, suggesting alternative solutions such as virtual care clinics and hospitals in the home.