Masks are back in force for patients, staff and visitors at Lisbon’s Santa Maria and Pulido Valente hospitals due to a rising number of cases of Covid-19. The decision follows a recommendation made by the Programme for the Prevention and Control of Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance. The DGS (general health directorate) has given no indication of a generalised return to the use of masks in health units, say reports, suggesting this has been a localised measure only.