HERE WE GO: Citing Rising Covid Cases, These US Hospital Systems Have Now Reinstated Mask Mandates

Amid the backdrop of surging COVID cases and increasing hospitalizations across the nation, several hospital systems and medical facilities have moved to reinstate compulsory mask mandates for both patients and staff, according to a report by Becker’s Hospital Review.

These announcements coincide with a concerning 21.6% rise in COVID-related hospitalizations over the most recent week, while fatalities have seen a corresponding 21.4% increase, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s worth noting that these numbers still remain considerably lower than the levels witnessed during the peak of the pandemic.

As of August 25th, Fox News Digital has confirmed that several hospitals and health systems are joining this effort, seeking to mitigate the spread of the virus through renewed mask-wearing protocols. The list of healthcare institutions includes:

United Health Services in New York: This health system has reinstated mask mandates across its facilities due to a recent upswing in COVID-19 cases. The policy applies to UHS Wilson Medical Center, UHS Binghamton General Hospital, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, as well as primary and specialty care sites. The reinstated policy is effective immediately, encompassing patients, visitors, employees, medical staff, volunteers, students, and vendors. The masking requirement extends to nurses’ stations, clinical department conference rooms, waiting areas, transportation pathways, testing and care locations, and various common spaces, excluding instances of eating or drinking.

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, California: Responding to a surge in positive COVID tests, this Californian medical center reintroduced a mask mandate on August 22nd. The mandate applies to physicians, staff, patients, members, and visitors within the hospital and medical offices. Entrance to the hospital and the duration of visits necessitate mask-wearing.

Auburn Community Hospital, New York: After a brief cessation of the mandate, this New York hospital has reinstated a mask requirement on August 19th. The policy includes all staff, patients, and visitors within clinical areas. Face coverings are mandatory within the hospital premises, regardless of immunization status, and they must adequately cover the nose and mouth. COVID patients in the hospital are allowed a single visitor at a time, who must adhere to full personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations.

University Hospital in Syracuse, New York: Effective August 17th, University Hospital in Syracuse reintroduced mandatory masking for staff, visitors, and patients in clinical areas across Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Community Hospital, and ambulatory clinical spaces. The mandate encompasses locations where patients gather, wait, receive care, or are transported.

These reinstatements reflect a dynamic situation that stands in contrast to assertions made in a paper by health care epidemiologists and infectious diseases experts in April 2023. In the paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the experts argued for an end to universal masking in healthcare settings. While acknowledging that masks have downsides like impaired communication and disrupted human connection, experts are divided on the efficacy of universal masking mandates.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, stands by the requirement of masks in hospitals with vulnerable, high-risk patients. While some studies showed that proper mask usage yielded positive results, Dr. Siegel emphasized the importance of correct usage and the suitability of high-quality masks like KN95.

However, Dr. Siegel does not advocate for universal mask mandates, highlighting that studies have indicated many individuals misuse masks, rendering their efficacy questionable. He emphasized that the current availability of antiviral drugs, vaccines, and widespread immunity has shifted the landscape. Dr. Siegel acknowledged that mask mandates did not achieve the desired decrease in spread. He maintained that mandating masks for everyone, including young children, lacks practicality and sensibility.

{Matzav.com}