If you plan to visit a hospital or doctor soon, keep a mask on hand.
Some Chicago-area health systems are once again requiring visitors to wear masks to help reduce the spread of recent respiratory viruses, primarily influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.
Rush announced a new policy Tuesday requiring patients, visitors and staff to wear hospital-approved face coverings in interactive environments such as waiting rooms and patient rooms. This follows a similar mandate enacted last month by the Cook County Health Department and Endeavor Health, which operates Swedish Hospital and eight other suburban facilities.
Dr. David Nguyen, Rush's adult and pediatric infectious disease specialist, said the hospital made this change primarily due to a spike in influenza cases.
“Actually, what we're really worried about is the flu,” Nguyen said, adding that while COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus are still a concern, those cases seem to have plateaued. It pointed out.
He said the new policy would be effective because early in the COVID-19 pandemic, mask-wearing and social distancing appeared to cause a “notable disruption” to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. The aim is to cover all of these infectious diseases.
The number of influenza patients admitted to Chicago intensive care units more than doubled from early December to the week ending Dec. 23, according to the city's health department, and the number of flu patients admitted to Chicago intensive care units more than doubled in the week ending Dec. The number of influenza patients has doubled in two weeks. Public Health and Illinois Department of Public Health.
Chicago hospitals were admitting 30 COVID-19 patients per day as of Christmas Eve, according to the latest data available from the city's health department.
More than half of Illinois' counties have moderate or high levels of COVID-19 hospitalizations, based on metrics set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including Cook and DuPage.
Some of the policy moves come after the Illinois Department of Public Health recommended in mid-December that health care facilities step up efforts to reduce respiratory viruses.
“We are most concerned about health care facilities in our county where respiratory virus infections and hospitalization levels are rising, and we are recommending the wearing of masks in patient care areas, especially in emergency departments and areas caring for immunocompromised patients. ” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Bohra. statement.
Most of the new duties will be implemented specifically in “high-risk” areas such as treatment areas, intensive care units and emergency departments.
Chicago Medicine is still adhering to the mask policy adopted in September, requiring all employees and visitors with symptoms to wear masks, while requiring other visitors and patients to wear masks. I strongly encourage you to do so.
Northwestern Medicine will follow similar rules, requiring masks only if visitors or patients are exhibiting symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fever or runny nose.
Loyola Medicine requires everyone in our facilities to wear a mask, regardless of symptoms.
The Cook County Health Department also updated its visitor policy last month. Two visitors will be allowed per patient in the inpatient unit, and one visitor per patient will be allowed in the emergency trauma unit and outpatient areas.
Cook County Health Department spokeswoman Kate Hedlin said masks are “an easy way to reduce transmission.”
Vaccines are “also a great tool to reduce hospitalizations, severe infections and deaths,” Hedrin said. “It’s never too late to get vaccinated.”
COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.
The RSV vaccine can also be given to people over 60, infants, young children, and pregnant women.
visit boostupcookcounty.com Help us find a vaccine.
