California hospital reinstates mask mandate amid rising health concerns
Starting Nov. 1, everyone at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) must wear masks again due to concerns about rising COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.”Now is the time to really make these preparations and be reminded of what we can do to prevent things from really taking off at a sharp increase,” said infection specialist Martha Blum at CHOMP. “As we like to say, Noah built the ark before the flood,” Blum adds.Health experts warn that the holiday season could bring a surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV, and the flu.”Unfortunately, we’ve seen in the last couple of years a decrease in uptake of seasonal vaccinations. So despite widespread availability of annual flu vaccines as well as the updated 2024/25 COVID booster, people are just not getting vaccinated to the same degree,” Blum explains.The mask mandate at CHOMP applies to patients, visitors, and employees and is set to last through Jan. 31. Depending on the situation during the holiday season, it may be extended.Some people express discomfort with wearing masks.”For me, it just steams up my glasses and makes me feel so uncomfortable,” one individual says.Others believe the danger of COVID-19 has passed.”I think it’s good for everybody to kind of go back to normal and move on,” another person comments.Despite these opinions, health experts emphasize the importance of precautions to prevent a significant increase in infections.The mandate at CHOMP is part of a broader effort to protect public health, with a partial mandate at other healthcare facilities like Ohana, where only employees are required to mask up.Santa Cruz County health officials are also requiring masking in acute care facilities during the respiratory virus season.These facilities include skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, and infusion centers such as dialysis and chemotherapy centers.All healthcare staff and visitors in these facilities are expected to always wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status.That order goes into effect Nov. 1.Salinas Valley Health has updated its masking policy as well.Staff members who are not vaccinated for the flu will be required to wear masks throughout the flu season, but vaccinated staff will not be required to mask up.Visitors are encouraged to wear masks and follow isolation protocols.Salinas Valley Health says they will modify the masking policy if additional respiratory threats emerge.
Starting Nov. 1, everyone at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) must wear masks again due to concerns about rising COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
“Now is the time to really make these preparations and be reminded of what we can do to prevent things from really taking off at a sharp increase,” said infection specialist Martha Blum at CHOMP. “As we like to say, Noah built the ark before the flood,” Blum adds.
Health experts warn that the holiday season could bring a surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV, and the flu.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen in the last couple of years a decrease in uptake of seasonal vaccinations. So despite widespread availability of annual flu vaccines as well as the updated 2024/25 COVID booster, people are just not getting vaccinated to the same degree,” Blum explains.
The mask mandate at CHOMP applies to patients, visitors, and employees and is set to last through Jan. 31. Depending on the situation during the holiday season, it may be extended.
Some people express discomfort with wearing masks.
“For me, it just steams up my glasses and makes me feel so uncomfortable,” one individual says.
Others believe the danger of COVID-19 has passed.
“I think it’s good for everybody to kind of go back to normal and move on,” another person comments.
Despite these opinions, health experts emphasize the importance of precautions to prevent a significant increase in infections.
The mandate at CHOMP is part of a broader effort to protect public health, with a partial mandate at other healthcare facilities like Ohana, where only employees are required to mask up.
Santa Cruz County health officials are also requiring masking in acute care facilities during the respiratory virus season.
These facilities include skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, and infusion centers such as dialysis and chemotherapy centers.
All healthcare staff and visitors in these facilities are expected to always wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status.
That order goes into effect Nov. 1.
Salinas Valley Health has updated its masking policy as well.
Staff members who are not vaccinated for the flu will be required to wear masks throughout the flu season, but vaccinated staff will not be required to mask up.
Visitors are encouraged to wear masks and follow isolation protocols.
Salinas Valley Health says they will modify the masking policy if additional respiratory threats emerge.
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