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 Local health care organizations stressed that masks are still needed
in health care settings to protect vulnerable people.
“Hospitals and health care providers must take all measures to
prioritize the health of their patients, many of whom are
immunocompromised or weakened, which puts them at a high risk of
having severe illness if they get COVID-19,” said Dr. Rajesh
Govindaiah, senior vice president and chief physician executive for
Memorial Health. “Masking is an important mitigation tool because
many people who have COVID-19, especially the omicron variant, don’t
have symptoms and may not know they are spreading the virus.”
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued new
recommendations that relaxed mask requirements in many areas.
Illinois’ mask mandate also was lifted on Feb. 28. However,
officials stressed that those changes do not apply in health care
settings. Health care employees also are still required to wear
masks at all times in patient care and public areas of health care
buildings.
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Health care leaders also urged the public to treat employees with civility and
respect if they are directed to wear a mask.
“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve appreciated the support we’ve received from the
public,” said Dr. Gurpreet Mander, HSHS Illinois chief physician executive. “We
need them to continue to support us by following masking guidelines when they
visit us to seek care or to support a patient.”
[Michael Leathers] |
