UPMC Takes a Proactive Stance: Reinstates Mask Mandate Amid Rising Respiratory Viruses
UPMC Reinstates Mask Mandate Amid Surge in Respiratory Viruses: Priority is Ensuring Safety, Duration of Requirement Uncertain
As the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, sees a noticeable uptick, UPMC has opted to reintroduce a mask requirement. Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC’s chief medical officer and senior vice president, emphasized the primary focus on safety in care delivery amid the heightened activity of these three viruses. The duration of the mandate remains uncertain, with UPMC committing to ongoing monitoring and protocol adjustments based on evolving circumstances.
“We believe that job number one is to keep you safe while we’re delivering care, and since the amount of activity that we’re seeing with those three viruses together has reached a certain point, the best way to keep everybody safe no matter who it is — receiving care or giving care — is to reinstate the mask more widely,” Dr. Yealy explained.
Despite CDC data and internal tracking indicating low COVID-19 and flu-related emergency visits and hospitalizations across AHN’s footprint, Allegheny Health Network has not implemented a broad masking requirement. AHN stated, “While we will continue to take appropriate precautions at our hospitals and outpatient facilities when caring for patients with respiratory illness, including mask-wearing among patients and staff, AHN is not implementing a broad masking requirement at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine if and when a network-wide masking mandate is required.”
Public opinions on the reinstated mask mandate vary, with some expressing support for the precautionary measure in healthcare settings, while others acknowledge the challenges of mask-wearing in public spaces.
