Hospitals in New York, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts have reinstated mask mandates in response to a surge in COVID-19, seasonal flu, and other respiratory illnesses. New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced the resumption of mask mandates at all 11 public hospitals, 30 health centers, and five long-term care facilities in the city. This decision aims to prevent staffing shortages similar to those experienced during the 2022 omicron wave.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest weekly data revealed over 29,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide from December 17-23, a more than 16% increase from the previous week. Additionally, there were over 14,700 flu hospitalizations in the same period.
Mask mandates have been contentious, with some opposing them as ineffective and others resenting the perceived health risks posed by non-compliance. The Supreme Court previously struck down President Biden’s federal vaccine-or-test mandate for companies, and a judge overturned his public transportation mask mandate.
In Chicago, the Rush University medical system now requires masks in specific areas, including clinical waiting rooms and patient registration. Similarly, Cook County Health and Endeavor Health reintroduced mask mandates following the Illinois Department of Public Health’s call for increased mitigation efforts.
Massachusetts’ Berkshire Health Systems started mandatory masking on Wednesday. In California, Los Angeles County reinstated masking at all licensed health care facilities as of Saturday.
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