As COVID-19 hospitalization rates trend upward by 16.9% nationwide, hospitals and health systems are reinstating mask mandates.
Several regions of the U.S. have seen a "substantial increase" of COVID-19 cases as of Dec. 30 and a rise in viral activity levels in wastewater between Dec. 9-28, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Respiratory syncytial virus and flu cases are increasing as well. As of Jan. 5, a 17.5% increase was reported in individuals testing positive for influenza, according to the CDC.
Many institutions are implementing mask requirements for staff, patients and visitors, including at all 11 New York City public hospitals, 30 health centers and five long-term care facilities. Healthcare facilities in Los Angeles County also have instituted masking requirements, its public health department said.
Tacoma, Washington-based MultiCare, along with Wynnewood, Pennsylvania-based Main Line Health, Pittsfield, Massachusetts-based Berkshire Health System and Springfield, Massachusetts-based Baystate Health system are requiring everyone to wear a mask at their facilities, according to the organizations.
Other providers have adopted less stringent masking mandates, with some organizations giving patients the option to mask or only asking for masks in specific areas of healthcare facilities.
Boston-based Mass General Brigham is requiring employees to wear masks when interacting with patients, though the health system said patients aren't required to wear masks. Similarly, Worcester, Massachusetts-based UMass Memorial Health said it will require masks for staff and leave them optional for patients. However, providers can turn away a patient who refuses to put on a mask when asked.
Boston Medical Center wants staff, patients and visitors who show symptoms of a respiratory illness or are in clinical areas such as inpatient units, outpatient clinics, the emergency department and procedural areas to wear a mask, according to the hospital. Three of Chicago-based Rush University System for Health hospitals-—University Medical Center, Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois and Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois—have a similar policy, but also require masks in waiting and registration areas.
