As the number of flu cases surges, hospitals across New Hampshire are amping up their approaches to infection prevention. Notably, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover is leading the charge by mandating its clinical staff to wear masks during direct patient interactions. Martha Wassell, Wentworth-Douglass’s Senior Director of Infection Prevention, underscores the strategy is aimed at safeguarding patients from respiratory diseases. The move came into effect on December 29, following high flu transmission rates that led the hospital to declare a ‘highest risk’ status.
The hospital observed a substantial uptick in the number of emergency department visits and urgent care patients suffering from viral respiratory diseases. This trend was mirrored in inpatient admissions, revealed Wassell. On a statewide scale, the intensity of flu activity remains high, setting expectations for similar figures in the forthcoming weeks, as per a spokesperson from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. As the flu season heats up, typically peaking in January or February, there has been a consequent surge in emergency department footfalls and hospitalization numbers, leading to significant load on the healthcare system.
This high patient influx is causing statewide hospital capacity to crumble, with nearly 94% of inpatient hospital beds currently occupied, as revealed by the New Hampshire Hospital Association. When considering patients situated in the emergency room awaiting an available inpatient bed, the occupancy rate exceeds an alarming 99%.
Adding to this mounting concern, Catholic Medical Center in Manchester noticed a 15% surge in flu cases in December 2025 relative to the same period in 2024. While this aligns with patterns noticed statewide and across the country, the hospital stops short of making mask usage mandatory, opting instead for strong encouragement. Dartmouth Health took a similar approach after influenza-like cases nearly doubled in December 2025 compared to the preceding year. The health system now ‘highly’ recommends masks for all staffers facing patients.
Despite the progressed flu season, healthcare experts continue to advocate for the flu vaccine, stating its effectiveness in protecting against infection. The infection prevention strategies adopted by these New Hampshire hospitals are potent examples of the concerted efforts by healthcare providers during high-risk health situations.
Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/12/metro/nh-flu-season-masks-hospitals/