PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Four local health systems are adding mask mandates as the region grapples with a surge in cases of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza. Did.
These hospitals and health systems have issued different mask rules in recent days, which are discussed below.
Cooper University Health Care Mask Requirement
Visitors and staff at Cooper University Medical Facilities will be required to wear masks in patient rooms and exam rooms starting January 5th.
According to Cooper's website: All visitors to Cooper University Hospital must wear a maskpatients and visitors must wear masks in all of the system's outpatient offices and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper locations.
A Cooper spokesperson told CBS News Philadelphia that the policy change was “based on the increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties.”
Related: Medford family battles respiratory infection after Christmas trip to Florida
Jefferson Health updates mask requirements, effective January 6th
Officials announced that starting Saturday, January 6th, the use of ear-hook masks will be temporarily required for all staff in patient-facing areas until January 29th to prevent further spread of the virus.
Here's what Jefferson Health looks for in its patients:
- all patients Emergency departments, urgent care centers, and congregate facilities (including rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities) Required Earloop masks should be used because of the increased risk of virus transmission through close contact.
- Patients with viral respiratory symptoms elsewhere should Required Use earloop masks.
- Immediately mask pediatric patients presenting with ILI, assess for history of measles exposure, and check MMR vaccination status.
- All other patients in other medical settings are strongly encouraged Mask.
- All visitors to our other medical facilities must: strongly encouraged Please wear a mask and do not visit if you have symptoms of a respiratory viral infection.
University of Pennsylvania Health System updates mask guidelines, effective January 8th
The University of Pennsylvania Health System announced that starting Monday, January 8, masks will be required during all patient care/patient interaction activities and in all areas where patients may be encountered.
“Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days or have symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, fever, sore throat, or nasal congestion, should wear a mask,” according to a release from UPHS. must be worn.'' “Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days or have symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter any facility, even if they are wearing a mask. .”
Mainline Health Mask Guidelines
trunk health condition Many campuses began requiring masks on Thursday, Jan. 4, in response to a spike in illnesses.
Officials announced Wednesday that all patients, employees, medical staff and visitors must wear masks in clinical and common areas.
“Care for the community is paramount and this will help reduce the spread of these respiratory illnesses,” Main Line Health said in a statement.
New coronavirus, influenza, and RSV cases surge in Philadelphia area
According to the Philadelphia Department of Health, Increased activity of respiratory viruses Since early November, there have been concerns about the spread of new coronaviruses, influenza, RSV, and other infections, but there are no plans to make masks mandatory.
by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, At this time, there is high influenza activity in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The CDC also reports: RSV levels remain high in many parts of the country In some regions, levels of COVID-19 infections are rising and increasing.
read more: Philadelphia Health Department not considering requiring public mask-wearing due to rise in respiratory infections
