The two Upstate Medical-owned hospitals in Upstate New York, University and Community General, reinstated mandatory mask use after reporting a spike in Covid-19 cases.
According to a memo sent to Upstate staff, Covid testing is now also required for all patients admitted to hospitals.
“Immediately, the mandatory use of face masks is required for all staff, visitors and patients in the clinical areas of Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Community Hospital and outpatient clinical spaces,” the memo states. “Clinical areas are defined as any place where patients congregate, wait, are transported, or receive care. The use of face masks is strongly encouraged in all non-clinical areas.”
The hospital reported an increase in staff sick from Covid, an increase in patients hospitalized with the disease, and an increased presence of the virus in wastewater from hospitals and the community at large.
They blame the new variant EG.5
The new variant, EG.5, is identified as responsible for the increase in cases, according to the hospital.
“These numbers are constantly changing, but there is an upward trend in Covid-related hospitalizations in our community,” Dr. Stephen Thomas, Upstate’s director of global health, said in a statement. “Although we are far from the highest levels we had, we have more patients now than we did a month ago. Fortunately, we have enough capacity to care for all of our patients.”
The mask-wearing and testing policies will be reviewed again in three weeks, the hospital said. The obligation to use masks in the hospital had been lifted on April 27.
Crouse Hospital said it has no planned changes to its masking or testing policies. St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center is currently reviewing its policies in this regard.
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2023-08-21 02:00:00
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