Masks made ‘no noticeable difference’ to Covid transmission rates in hospitals, new research suggests.
Infections have not increased since mask mandates were lifted at NHS facilities during an Omicron peak.
Experts today said the findings did not mean face coverings were “worthless”.
But they called for a “rational and proportionate” masking policy in hospitals in future Covid outbreaks, as the benefits are “modest” at best.
Governments around the world, including the UK, have mandated the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces.
Governments around the world – including the UK – have mandated the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces, although rigorous studies on their effectiveness are lacking
The researchers found that lifting the mask policy in phase two did not cause a “statistically significant change” in the number of hospital-acquired Covid infections. Similarly, they saw ‘no delayed effect’ on the number of Covid infections after the guideline was lifted, the study added
This is despite a lack of rigorous studies on its effectiveness.
Some hospitals still require patients to cover themselves before entering, although this is no longer required by law.
Researchers at St George’s Hospital in South West London analyzed routine infection control data collected over a 40-week period between 4 December 2021 and 10 September 2022.
Read more: Is the mask debate finally over? The ‘gold standard’ analysis of 78 studies and 1 million people shows face coverings make ‘little to no difference’ to Covid infection or death rates
This was the time between the first week that Omicron became the dominant Covid variant and the week that universal PCR Covid screening tests for admitted patients were phased out.
During the first phase of the study – 4 December 2021 to 1 June 2022 – all staff and visitors are required to wear masks, both in the clinical and non-clinical areas.
In phase two, the mandate was withdrawn.
Instead, decisions about mask policy were left to individual hospitals.
High-risk wards, including wards treating cancer patients and intensive care units, maintained mask requirements.
The researchers found that lifting the mask policy in phase two did not cause a “statistically significant change” in the number of hospital-acquired Covid infections.
Similarly, they saw ‘no delayed effect’ on the number of Covid infections after the directive was lifted.
This is despite the spread of the virus within the community.
Those in high-risk wards — the control group — who continued to wear masks “also found no immediate or delayed change in infection rate,” the study said.
While masks were initially seen as a virus prevention measure, they have become a prominent symbol of Britain’s Covid culture wars.
Officials gave mixed messages about their effectiveness early in the pandemic.
Studies have not conclusively shown that masks prevented Covid.
In February, one of the most comprehensive meta-analyses of face coverings to date by the Cochrane Institute found that masks made ‘little or no difference’ to Covid infection or death rates.
As with any observational study, the researchers behind the new British study cautioned about potential limitations.
Those in high-risk wards — the control group — who continued to wear masks “also found no immediate or delayed change in infection rate,” the study said.
These include the inability to determine staff infection rates and determine adherence to mask wearing guidelines.
lead author Dr Ben Patterson said: “Our study found no evidence that requiring staff to wear masks affects SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in Omicron variant hospitals.
“This does not mean that masks are worthless against Omicron, but their real benefit alone seems modest at best in healthcare.”
His research colleague Dr. Aodhan Breathnach added: “Many hospitals have persisted with masking despite significant communication barriers, despite significant financial and environmental costs.
“We hope that this empirical evidence can help inform rational and proportionate mask guidelines in health care.”
The research results will be presented later this month at the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
