Covid face masks return as hospital visitors told they must wear coverings

In a statement, the Trust said: "Along with our staff, visitors, outpatients and anyone accompanying them are asked to wear masks in all clinical areas and anywhere they will be in close contact with others for longer periods of time.

“Please ask staff if you do not have a mask and they will provide you with one.

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"We are also asking that anyone coming into our hospitals or community hubs please sanitise their hands, keep their distance from others and avoid visiting if unwell with viral symptoms such as cough, cold or fever."

Individual trusts are currently allowed to set their own mask-wearing protocols based on the infection rate in the local area.

The number of coronavirus cases in the Steel City hit a recent high in early October, data compiled by the UK Government has shown.

A total of 38 cases were recorded on October 3 alone, the highest number since late March.

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Sheffield registered a total of 214,220 infections since testing began.

The latest figures suggest an autumnal spike in England has all but come to an end as the number of positive tests slumped by 30 per cent compared to the previous week.

The decision comes after GB News' Bev Turner questioned why retailer The White Company continued to sell face masks for children.

Turner claimed face masks were ineffective at stopping transmission and can damage the development of children.

However, a report released by the Royal Society in August revealed face masks “unequivocally” cut the spread of the virus.

The UK Government's advice on face masks has changed since the number of cases collapsed amid an enormous uptake in vaccines across Britain.

The final update, which was withdrawn completely in April 2022, said: "Face coverings are no longer required by law.

"The Government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet."

A subsequent update on living with the virus added: "Wearing a face covering or face mask can reduce the number of particles containing viruses that are released from the mouth and nose of someone who is infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

"Face coverings can also protect the person wearing the face covering from becoming infected by some viruses."