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Catalonia Mandates Masks in Hospitals, Primary Care and Care Homes as Flu Wave Accelerates

Officials cite SIVIC data showing an unusually early, fast-rising H3N2 surge with incidence at 418 per 100,000.

Overview

  • The Health Department will sign the resolution today, the requirement takes effect tomorrow, and spokesperson Sílvia Paneque urged immediate mask use and vaccination.
  • SIVIC reports 418 cases per 100,000 and 24,969 primary-care diagnoses in Dec 1–7, more than double the previous week and the highest level in about 15 years.
  • Variant K of influenza A(H3N2) is predominant and appears more transmissible, with no evidence of greater severity and especially high rates in children and younger adults.
  • Hospital pressure is increasing, with 111 influenza hospitalizations in Catalonia last week—an 82% rise—and emergency departments reporting heavy demand.
  • Murcia has already made masks compulsory in health settings, and Aragón raised its risk level provincewide to epidemic status with reinforced prevention guidance.