Face masks required for accident and emergency visits
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustA hospital has asked people to wear face masks at its accident and emergency department.
The Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford said the "temporary measure" was to "protect the health of our patients, visitors and staff".
It comes amid a looming unprecedented flu season, with the number of flu patients in hospital hitting a record high in England for this time of year.
Experts have warned a more severe strain of the virus appears to be circulating.
The NHS Royal Surrey Foundation Trust said it was also seeing increasing cases of flu and other respiratory infections.
Wearing surgical face masks would help reduce their spread, it detailed.
The protective equipment is available at the entrance to the department for anyone who needs one, the trust said.
People who are unable to wear a face mask should inform staff, it continued.
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