Spain raised the level of health surveillance this Thursday, December 4, declaring a state of alert in the face of the abrupt increase in respiratory infections. The Ministry of Health, together with the autonomous communities, approved an emergency protocol that places the use of masks and teleworking at the center of the national strategy to combat influenza.
The measure aims to curb the growing pressure on the country’s National Health System, responding to a wave of infections described as “early and intense” at the beginning of December.
The new agreement establishes clear and immediate guidelines. Health authorities recommend that the population resume using masks in all health centers, hospitals and pharmacies.
In the labor sector, companies are called upon to implement teleworking whenever employees present respiratory symptoms. The objective is to radically cut transmission chains in workplaces and prevent mild viral infections from resulting in workplace outbreaks or administrative overload with sick leave.
Anticipating the disruption scenario
This tightening of recommendations comes as a direct response to alarming epidemiological data. With the overlapping outbreaks of flu, covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, the Ministry of Health is trying to anticipate a scenario of emergency saturation.
Authorities emphasize that ventilation of spaces and vaccination are not just advice, but critical containment measures. The alert now issued signals that, without strict adherence to these barrier measures, the Spanish health system could face serious difficulties in responding in the coming weeks.