Currently, as the number of people infected with the new coronavirus and influenza is increasing, respiratory infectionsPublic hospitals in New York City are joining a growing number of medical facilities in states across the country to reinstate mask mandates, according to multiple reports.
The indoor mask mandate is in effect at 11 hospitals, 30 health centers and five long-term care facilities that are part of the regulation. New York City Health + Hospitals According to recent news reports, this system.
Dr. Aaron Glatt, director of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, said, “Masks remain a very important and effective way to reduce the transmission of respiratory viral infections, including the coronavirus and influenza.'' It's a method.” new yorkhe told FOX News Digital.
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The indoor mask mandate applies only to patient care areas within facilities, Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan told local news outlets.
Reinstatement of masking mandates will also help protect Health care workers This comes amid a surge in respiratory illnesses, he noted.
Recent reports indicate that hospitals in several states have reinstated mask mandates. (St. Petersburg)
Vasan added that none of the city hospitals are overwhelmed with patients at the moment.
Hospitals in at least six other states have also implemented mask mandates, according to recent reports: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin.
“Masks remain a very important and effective way to reduce the transmission of respiratory viral infections, including coronavirus and influenza.”
That includes UC Health in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sonoma (California) Valley Hospital; University of Chicago Medical Center. City of Hope in Duarte, California. Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center in California. and Massachusetts State University Mass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., according to Becker's Hospital Review.
Number of new coronavirus and influenza cases nationwide
Hospitalization status nationwide Due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) The number of infections rose 16.7% to 29,059 in the week ending December 23, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This marks the seventh consecutive week of increases in the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations, the highest since late January 2023.
Reinstating mask mandates will also help protect health care workers amid a surge in respiratory illnesses, one doctor told Fox News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
Omicron variant JN.1 is expected to account for about 39% to 50% of circulating variants in the U.S., according to CDC data as of Dec. 23.
hospitalization related to influenza Nationwide, the number rose to 14,732 in the week ending December 23.
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“CDC estimates that influenza has caused at least 7.1 million illnesses, 73,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths so far this season,” the agency said on its website. mentioned in.
Influenza activity remains high in most areas of the county, and hospitalizations are increasing.
Approximately 44% of U.S. adults received this treatment. Flu vaccination As of early December, only an estimated 19% of Americans had received a coronavirus vaccine shot by late December, according to CDC data.
Approximately 44% of U.S. adults had received a flu shot by late December, and only an estimated 19% had received a coronavirus vaccine shot as of early December, according to CDC data. . (St. Petersburg)
Glatt told Fox News Digital: “The decision to make mask-wearing mandatory, rather than just strongly recommended, will depend in part on the incidence of COVID-19 and influenza and immunocompromised populations in some hospital wards. “It will depend on the presence of patients and many other variables.”
The CDC urges people and institutions to visit the CDC's website for information that will help them make informed decisions about when to wear or require a mask. .
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Some factors that will influence the decision include local COVID-19 hospital admission levels and an individual's potential risk factors. serious illnessadvanced age, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions.
“Each agency needs to evaluate all these parameters and devise appropriate policies that can be implemented and easily modified if necessary,” Glatt added.
The CDC urges people and institutions to visit the CDC's website for information that will help them make informed decisions about when to wear or require a mask. . But not all doctors support a universal mask mandate. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Mark Siegel, Clinical Professor, School of Medicine New York University Langone Medical Center The Fox News medical contributor has also previously said he supports mask mandates in hospitals with vulnerable and high-risk patients.
But he does not support a universal mask mandate.
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The doctor told Fox News Digital in August that if masks are to be used or required, they should be “KN95 or higher” and people should receive instructions on proper use.
Siegel added, “It should only be considered for large numbers of circulating respiratory viruses.”
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Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
