The True Story: Masks Return to Hospitals

The Spanish Eye reported on 15 December 2025 that Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga and Hospital Clínico Virgen de la Victoria required all staff, patients, visitors and suppliers to wear masks in shared and clinical areas, including outpatient clinics, emergency departments, waiting rooms, wards, corridors and lifts.

The report said respiratory infections in Málaga had quadrupled over 15 days, national cases doubled in the first week of December, and the flu season started about four weeks early, helped by the more contagious variant K. The rules extended to associated Costa del Sol centres.

The Key Lesson: Lobbies and Lifts Are Where Patients of Every Kind Meet

Thai hospitals have thousands of outpatients a day passing through the same lobby. Points to watch are:

• Waiting areas full every morning
• Lifts where coughing patients stand beside cancer patients
• Queue ticket machines everyone presses
• Main lobby toilets used all day
• Hospital cafés shared by relatives and patients

How Flu Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza spreads easily where people gather, such as schools and nursing homes. It spreads through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and through hands that touch contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Most people recover within a week, but young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are at risk of severe disease. Influenza is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Risk Register for Hospital Lobbies and Lifts

1. Coughing patients unmasked in the lobby: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: hand out masks at the door during outbreaks. Owner: front desk
2. Crowded lifts: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: limit numbers and wipe buttons hourly. Owner: facilities
3. Shared queue machines: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: app-based queuing and screen wiping. Owner: medical records
4. Waiting areas not separating fever: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: separate waiting zone for respiratory symptoms. Owner: outpatient head nurse
5. Lobby not disinfected after clinics close: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog lobby and waiting rooms after hours. Owner: housekeeping

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Hospital Lobbies and Lifts

1. Hand out masks at the door in outbreaks
2. Separate waiting zones for respiratory symptoms
3. Wipe lift buttons hourly
4. Offer app queuing
5. Place hand gel at every waiting point
6. Clean toilets hourly
7. Fog and ozone-treat waiting rooms after hours

How ULV Disinfection Fogging Helps

The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot reach.

• Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
• Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
• Uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page
• The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
• Report and photos after the job for customers, management or authorities
• Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies

Ozone Treatment for Closed Rooms and Stuffy Spaces

The World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service uses machines that generate ozone gas from oxygen in the air. It suits closed rooms such as meeting rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, sick bays and vans, helping reduce germs in the air and on surfaces and removing stale odours. Ozone breaks back down into oxygen after treatment, leaving no residue.

• Works alongside disinfection fogging: spray or wipe surfaces first, then use ozone for the air and corners of closed rooms
• No people or pets in the room during treatment: the team seals the room and runs a timer
• Ventilate after treatment before normal use resumes
• Machines tested by Intertek, according to WHD's service page
• Ideal after someone has been ill, such as recovered patients' rooms, shared bedrooms and shuttle vans

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where did Málaga hospitals require masks? A: Outpatient clinics, emergency departments, waiting rooms, wards, corridors and lifts, for everyone.

Q: Why did Málaga take this step? A: Respiratory infections quadrupled in 15 days and the flu season began about four weeks early.

Q: Does the fogging disinfectant work on flu? A: The team uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page, and influenza is an enveloped virus that suitable disinfectants can inactivate. Fogging does not replace vaccination or handwashing.

Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No one should be in the room during treatment. Ventilate afterwards before normal use; the team will advise the right time for the room size.

Q: Can hospitals get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Related Links and Sources

• World Health Disinfection disinfection service
• World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant and price
• Influenza information from Thailand's Department of Disease Control, hotline 1422
• WHO seasonal influenza fact sheet

Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment

The real news from Spain shows the places everyone passes need the most protection. Hospitals that care for lobbies and lifts protect their most vulnerable patients. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for lobbies, waiting areas and lifts, and the ozone treatment service for outpatient waiting and exam rooms after hours. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268