FOI Reference: FOI/2022/4175
You asked
Can you please provide the information that justifies NHS TRUSTs imposing Type IIR FRSM mask wearing policies on staff? "Information" means the written science, ie the articles, papers or reports that contains the science that justifies imposing mask policies.
We said
Thank you for your request.
We do not hold the requested information regarding the science that justified imposing mask policies in NHS Trusts. Your query might be better placed with UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency, previously Public Health England), who can be contacted via email at informationrights@ukhsa.gov.uk.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) is a household survey that estimates the number of people testing positive for infection and for antibodies in the UK. Our statistics refer to the number of current COVID-19 infections within the population living in private residential households. We exclude those in hospitals, care homes and/or other communal establishments. In communal establishments, rates of COVID-19 infection are likely to be different.
You might be interested in our analysis of the use of face coverings and the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 in CIS. The most recent analysis can be found in our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, characteristic of people testing positive for COVID-19, UK: 13 April 2022 bulletin. In Figure 3, you can find estimates of the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 depending on the use of face coverings in school or work.
Further information and an overview of data about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other sources can be found in our Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest insights tool.