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US hospitals reinstate mask mandates.

As​ COVID-19 cases ​continue to rise, several​ hospital systems have re-instated mask mandates.​ This has sparked ⁢concern⁤ among some​ prominent conservatives​ who have sounded the ⁢alarm in recent days.

However, there is a key difference with these⁢ new mask mandates.​ Unlike previous iterations,‍ they only apply to staff and physicians, not patients ‍or visitors.

UMass Memorial

In ⁣Massachusetts, UMass Memorial Hospital has confirmed that it‍ will re-impose ⁢masking for⁤ staff. Patients ⁢and visitors​ are⁢ exempt ⁣from ⁢the mandate.

“We have continued to⁣ see a ‌dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19​ positive employees‌ over the past two weeks, which‌ has led to exposures of ⁣both fellow caregivers ‌and patients,” ‌the hospital​ stated. “To protect our ⁣staff ​and patients, we are now requiring ‌mandatory ​caregiver masking for all ⁣patient encounters in all licensed clinical areas.”

The hospital,⁣ based in Worcester, Massachusetts,⁣ has also stated that if the trend continues, masks may⁢ be required for everyone entering the hospital, including ⁣patients⁣ and visitors. A ⁣decision ⁣will be made after four weeks, following a re-evaluation of the COVID-19 situation.

“Please understand ​that​ these changes are not made lightly, and⁢ we acknowledge that a return to masking may be ‌upsetting ⁢for some​ of our ​caregivers,” UMass Memorial reported.

United Health Services ​in New‍ York

United Health Services in ⁢Binghamton, New York, has also ⁢announced the reinstatement of mask requirements for patients, visitors,⁢ staff,​ and doctors.

“Due to an increase in COVID-19⁢ cases, masks are once again mandatory in all ⁢clinical areas at UHS Wilson Medical​ Center, UHS Binghamton General Hospital, ‍UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, and UHS Delaware ⁣Valley Hospital,⁢ as‍ well as primary and specialty⁢ care ‍sites,” stated United Health Services on its website.

The⁢ policy,​ effective immediately,‌ applies to ‌all patients,⁣ visitors, ⁣employees, medical staff, volunteers, ‌students, and⁣ vendors. Masks​ must⁢ be worn at nurses’ stations,⁣ conference ‍rooms, ⁣and‌ all areas⁣ where‍ patients register, ‍wait, ‌receive testing, or‌ care.

Masks are​ also required in common spaces⁣ such as hospital ⁤lobbies, hallways, stairwells,⁣ cafeterias, ​and ‍patient ⁤care units.

Auburn​ Community Hospital in New York

Auburn Community Hospital in Upstate New York has‍ announced the reinstatement of mask requirements on-site,‌ just ⁣a month after the previous​ mandate ended.

The​ mask mandate applies to patients, staff, and visitors, according to a statement⁢ posted on the hospital’s website.

“Face coverings are mandatory inside our facilities, regardless of your ​immunization status,” the hospital emphasized. “If you​ do not have a⁤ mask or ⁢yours is deemed ⁤inappropriate, one will⁣ be provided to you. Masks‌ must be worn at all ‌times and cover both your nose and‌ mouth.”

In addition to masking, ⁢the⁢ hospital has implemented a policy‌ allowing hospitalized COVID-19⁣ patients to have only one visitor at a‌ time, who‌ must ⁤also​ wear full personal protective equipment.

Kaiser ‍Permanente in Northern ⁤California

A Kaiser Permanente location in Santa Rosa, California, has announced the ⁢reinstatement of mask​ requirements due to ‌a rise in COVID-19 cases. However,⁣ it clarified ⁣that the‍ mandate only applies to staff and ‍physicians, not visitors and⁤ patients.

Kaiser⁣ informed ‌a ​local newspaper in Santa Rosa⁢ that it is still “strongly encouraging masks for patients, members, and visitors in the hospital and​ medical offices in⁣ the Santa Rosa Service ‍Area in ‍response to this latest increase in‍ COVID-19 cases.” However, face coverings are not required ‍for those individuals.

“Our⁣ intent was to communicate ‍that as of Tuesday, we have expanded the masking requirement for our employees and physicians‌ to medical offices and clinic settings; we apologize for any confusion among Press Democrat readers,” ⁤stated the hospital in an updated statement.

“Visitors,⁢ patients, and members ⁤are strongly encouraged to ‍also wear masks ​in these​ settings,” it​ continued. “We have not changed our masking requirements⁤ in the hospital, ⁤which have been in ⁢effect since April: employees and physicians are required to wear masks, and we ⁣ask visitors to wear masks when in



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