Hospitals in at least four U.S. states have reinstated mask mandates amid a rise in cases of COVID, seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses.
In response to a surge in COVID-19, seasonal flu, and respiratory illnesses, hospitals in several U.S. states have re-imposed mask mandates for both patients and healthcare providers. The affected states include New York, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, announced the reinstatement of mask mandates in all 11 public hospitals, 30 health centers, and five long-term care facilities. Dr. Vasan emphasized the importance of preventing staffing shortages, recalling challenges faced during the omicron wave in 2022 when frontline health workers were sidelined due to COVID-19 infections.
The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with over 29,000 cases reported from December 17 to 23, marking a 16% rise from the previous week. Additionally, the CDC recorded over 14,700 flu-related hospitalizations during the same period.
The reinstatement of mask mandates comes amid a history of political and cultural debates surrounding their effectiveness. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, masks became divisive issues, with some opposing their usage despite medical recommendations.
A conservative-dominated Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's federal vaccine-or-test mandate for companies, and a judge appointed by his Republican predecessor struck down his public transportation mask mandate.
Rush University medical system in Chicago said on Tuesday that it was requiring "patients, visitors and staff to wear hospital-approved masks in some areas of the campus. They include clinical waiting areas and patient registration."
Cook County Health, which encompasses Chicago, and Endeavor Health in the Chicago suburbs, last month started requiring masks again, after the Illinois Department of Public Health asked hospitals to step up mitigation efforts in several areas, including facility-wide masking.
Similarly, Berkshire Health Systems in Massachusetts and Los Angeles County in California have recently enforced mandatory masking, with the latter applying the rule to all licensed healthcare facilities.
The move to reintroduce mask mandates reflects a collective effort to curb the spread of infections, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent healthcare workforce shortages. With over 1.1 million Americans having lost their lives to COVID, health authorities emphasize the need for coordinated measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing public health challenges.