Masks will now be required in Horizon Health hospitals that are dealing with respiratory virus outbreaks.
The new rules come amid an increase in COVID-19 and an expected seasonal increase in other respiratory viruses.
“Horizon is taking necessary steps to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory illness in our facilities,” the health authority said in a news release.
Medical-grade face masks will be required when patient-facing in regional hospitals with two or more outbreak units and community hospitals with one or more outbreak units.
This includes all inpatient units, emergency departments and ambulatory care/outpatient services, as well as waiting room areas and other clinical settings.
Horizon said the new guidance applies to staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, social visitors and Designated Support Persons.
Masking will remain optional in public areas of those hospitals such as lobbies and cafeterias.
Social visitors are not allowed to visit patients in a Horizon hospital or any long-term care patient care unit that has a respiratory virus outbreak. Continuous use of medical-grade face masks will continue to be required for health care workers and DSPs on outbreak units.
“We ask the public to treat our physicians, staff, patients and other visitors to our hospitals with kindness, respect and understanding as we take steps to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory illness in our facilities and do our best to protect our most vulnerable patients,” said Horizon.
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