Mask wearing has been reintroduced in medical settings due to a spike in Covid cases, Manx Care has confirmed.

The measure across all of its sites includes employees working in patient-facing settings and members of the public visiting those in hospitals.

Face masks are being supplied at the entrance to each hospital, as well as on wards and other clinical areas.

The health care provider said the move was “a precautionary measure” given a recent rise in the admission of Covid-positive patients at Noble’s Hospital.

District nurses, ambulance personnel or those who work in the community will also wear masks when in direct contact with patients.

Visitors to the hospital have been asked to comply, but those who feel ill have been asked not to attend.

People visiting care homes run by Manx Care will also be covered by the rules when there are residents at the home who have tested positive to Covid.

Manx Care’s deputy chief executive Paul Moore said the health care provider wanted to “minimise risk and protect our organisational resilience as far as possible”.

“These are tried and tested infection prevention and control procedures. I appreciate wearing a mask is difficult for some people, but it is important we act quickly and proactively,” he added.