ECDC recommends that healthcare facilities maintain and strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, due to the high community transmission and co-circulation of respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and others. The implementation should be based on an approach that considers all these viruses.
[…] The simultaneous circulation of different viruses poses a significant challenge for the management of large numbers of patients with respiratory viral infections and may lead to outbreaks in healthcare settings. IPC practices mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses within healthcare facilities that are especially at risk during times of peak respiratory virus circulation and hospital admissions. These consist of administrative measures (such as triage and placement of patients), standard precautions (especially hand hygiene) with appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental measures (such as cleaning and ventilation).
Testing for the early detection of Covid-19, influenza and RSV cases is recommended in order to facilitate the optimal management of admitted patients, and appropriate room and bed allocation.