Following a rise in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus cases, masks are now required at Swedish clinics and emergency departments as well as Puget Sound area MultiCare locations.
SEATTLE — Providence Swedish Clinics and MultiCare Clinics have both announced they will begin requiring masks for visitors, patients and caregivers.
Swedish Providence clinics and hospitals began ordering masks on Tuesday, while MultiCare will begin ordering them at its facilities in Thurston, Kitsap, King and Pierce counties on Wednesday.
This is due to a rise in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases that have exceeded a specific threshold developed by the Northwest Healthcare Response Network (NHRN) that requires masking.
according to king county, Emergency department (ED) visits diagnosed with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus have increased since early November 2023 and October 2023, respectively. ER visits for RSV are almost three times higher than the threshold, currently at 1.14%, well above the 0.3% threshold. In King County, there were 166 emergency department visits due to RSV in the week ending November 25.
Emergency department visits for coronavirus (COVID-19) are below the transmission alert threshold, having declined since mid-September 2023. However, masking requirements are triggered when a pathogen from RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 reaches or exceeds the threshold.
The mandatory mask policy will remain until both RSV and influenza fall below the threshold for emergency department visits and CDC-19 hospitalizations remain below average for at least two weeks, according to NHRN. Guidelines.
“There are populations at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses who require universal mask-wearing in the healthcare setting,” the priorities included in the guidelines state.
Masking requirements according to Al Suwaidi websiteThey are located in the following places:
- Hospital patient rooms and corridors.
- Patient examination rooms.
- Registration/front desk and check-in locations.
- All Swedish Providence clinic locations, including urgent care.
- Emergency departments and emergency department waiting rooms.
- Oncology/cancer waiting rooms.
The hospital still strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccines for all visitors, and they continue to be permitted from 5am to 9pm at hospital locations. Visitors must pass a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms and recent exposure within the past 10 days.
To read the newly implemented policy, check out Swedish website.
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