Covid: Leominster GP surgery tells patients to wear face masks

Ryeland Surgery, in Westfield Walk, Leominster, said that staff were continuing to wear masks and patients should also do so.

The surgery said: "Due to the national and local increase in Covid cases, we are continuing to wear masks in the surgery.

"If you are attending the surgery please ensure you bring a face covering and wear it throughout your visit to help protect you, our staff and fellow patients."

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Ledbury Health Partnership, based in the town's Market Street, also told patients last week to wear masks as the move would help protect everyone.

It said: "Please be aware, due to increasing levels of Covid, we have taken the decision to return to wearing face masks in all of our buildings, unless you are exempt, please ensure you arrive for your appointment wearing a mask, to help protect yourself and others."

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In June, NHS hospitals and surgeries in England dropped the need for patients to wear masks.

Covid-19 infections continue to rise across the UK, driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 2.7 million people in private households are estimated to have had Covid-19 two weeks ago, up 18 per cent from 2.3 million the previous week.

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This is the highest estimate since late April, but is still below the record high of 4.9 million, which was reached at the end of March during the wave of infections caused by the BA.2 variant.

Due to the testing programme being scaled back in England, with most people now not able to get free tests, the ONS household survey is now among the best official information available about the spread of Covid.