The plan to combat influenza and other respiratory viruses recommends wearing a mask when symptoms appear, as well as when going to health and social centers in times of high infection prevalence. In these cases, it is also recommended that you choose to work remotely if you are sick or self-isolating.
The framework document to combat acute respiratory infections, approved by the Public Health Committee on Wednesday, finally maintains the use of face masks as a recommendation, with a gradual proposal to intensify their use as the epidemic progresses, but without becoming mandatory.
According to the final agreed text with the latest contributions from several Directors-General of Public Health, the scope of application of the plan will be determined by each community; The autonomous authorities will also estimate each of the four proposed risk scenarios based on their epidemiological situation, and define epidemic thresholds according to their historical series.
Then, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Carlos III Health Institute, they will periodically review the evolution of the indicators to evaluate, maintain or modify the definition of the scenarios.
Each scenario corresponds to a set of measures, which are recommended to be applied in a gradual and incremental manner, so that the previous measures are met at each level and additional measures to be implemented are listed each time.
Epidemic or base level scenario
- At this stage, preparations will be made to confront the epidemic; Vaccination recommendations will be published, vaccination coverage from the previous season will be assessed, and unvaccinated groups will be identified.
- Information materials will also be prepared including the main recommended vaccination procedures, hygiene measures, masks, ventilation and social interactions targeting the general population and specific groups such as companies, schools or health centres.
- In residential settings, the 2023 “Action Guide for the Prevention and Control of Outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infections in Residential Centers for Vulnerable Persons” guidelines will be followed in all scenarios, strengthening protection in these settings.
Among other measures, it stipulates that workers with symptoms constantly wear a mask or that people with symptoms avoid visits.
The epidemic scenario is low or medium level
- Facilitating access to the vaccine to ensure high coverage in a short period of time.
- People with symptoms should wear a surgical mask and take hygiene measures, especially if they have been in contact with people at risk.
- In the healthcare field, professionals, patients and companions must wear it in units with patients at risk of serious illness.
High-level epidemic scenario
- People with symptoms: use a mask, perform respiratory hygiene, and wash hands frequently. Self-isolation will be recommended and the possibility of teleworking will be considered if home conditions and the patient’s health condition allow it.
- Masks for anyone who comes into contact with people at risk of serious illness.
- Frequent cleaning of surfaces that may be contaminated (door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, etc.).
- Indoor frequent ventilation in common use.
- Vulnerable people should avoid going to crowded places and should wear a mask in their social interactions.
- In health care, patients, companions, and health care center workers who come into contact with other patients in waiting rooms, corridors, elevators, and other transit places that facilitate the transmission of the virus must wear a mask.
The pandemic scenario is at a very high level
- Strengthening coordination between regions.
- Consider adopting additional and exceptional measures.
The four risk scenarios are defined by a series of indicators, extracted from different sources of information, including the Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections in Spain (SiVIRA; data on healthcare capacity and hospital occupancy records, the Temporary Disability (TI) Operations Register and the Daily Mortality Surveillance (MoMo) system.
The impact on healthcare capacities (particularly occupancy of hospital and ICU beds, number of infectious consultations in the emergency room) and public health, characteristics and vulnerability of the population at risk and the possibility of adopting prevention and control measures will also be considered.