With viral infections surging, face mask mandates are back at area hospitals. What to know

If you're planning to visit a hospital in the near future, be ready to put on a face mask — at least for now.

Health officials in New York and elsewhere are reporting spikes in cases of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and several Southern Tier healthcare systems are taking steps to combat the surge.

"Since the end of November 2023, the number of RSV patients has been increasing in both children and adults, doubling in December," said Ken Roberts, spokesman for Arnot Health, which owns both Arnot Ogden Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira and Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath.

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"Since the first influenza-related admission on Dec. 1, 2023, we have seen nearly 150 outpatients test positive for the flu, and 14 patients admitted to our hospitals," Roberts said. "Finally, since October 2023, we have seen our number of inpatients with COVID-19 triple."

How hospitals are using mask mandates to fight infections

Arnot Health's face mask mandate took effect Thursday, and will be in effect until Jan. 18, when it will be re-evaluated, Roberts said.

While the mandate is in effect, all employees, volunteers and visitors will be required to wear face masks in in-patient hospital units, emergency departments, the skilled nursing units at St. Joseph's and Ira Davenport hospitals, the Falck Cancer Center, and Infusion Center at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.

Patients who are medically able to wear a mask will also be expected to do so, and masks will be available in all areas, Roberts said.

Other regional healthcare providers are seeing similar surges in infections and are also bringing back masking requirements.

United Health Services is requiring face mask use at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, Binghamton General Hospital, Chenango Memorial Hospital and Delaware Valley Hospital.

That mandate was originally limited to emergency departments, according to UHS spokesperson Carrie Davis, but this week was expanded to include all in-patient care and other public-facing areas at all hospital and walk-in facilities.

The requirement applies to all patients, visitors and staff. UHS also highly recommends mask usage in other areas.

UHS also has established a policy of only one visitor per patient in any emergency departments at any given time to avoid crowding situations and help prevent the spread of respiratory disease.

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Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital in Binghamton is instituting a more limited face mask mandate.

"To ensure the health and safety of our patients and caregivers, we may require those entering the Lourdes Emergency Department to wear a mask," said Lourdes spokesperson Lisa Donovan. "This is temporary, in response to an increase in flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses in the community."

Limited face mask mandates are also in effect at St. James Hospital in Hornell, an affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

"At this time, we have mandatory masking for our employees in all patient-facing acute areas, including our Inpatient Unit and Emergency Department," said Communications Manager Logan Peck.

"We also continue to educate our staff about using a mask if they are experiencing any cold-like symptoms and mandate they continue wearing their mask until five days post symptoms," Peck said.

No mandates yet at Guthrie

Guthrie, which owns Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, along with Corning Hospital, Troy Community Hospital, Towanda Memorial Hospital, and Cortland Medical Center, is still closely monitoring infection rates before imposing any new mandates, according to Dr. Lisa Marie Esolen, Guthrie Clinic chief quality officer.

"Currently, our geographic areas are experiencing small increases in COVID rates, though the infections appear mild, and we are not seeing increases in hospitalizations at this time," Esolen said. "While Influenza cases have increased as expected for this time of year, they remain significantly lower than last year at this time."

Guthrie will continue to closely examine the situation and will intensify protective strategies if needed to keep workers, patients and communities safe, Esolen added.

A broader perspective and how to protect yourself

In the four weeks prior to Dec. 14, 2023, hospitalizations among all age groups nationwide increased by 200% for influenza, 51% for COVID-19, and 60% for RSV, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In New York, the state Department of Health issued an advisory last month declaring influenza prevalent in the state. The declaration requires that health care workers who have not received this year’s flu vaccine wear masks in certain health care settings.

A health department spokeswoman pointed out the mandate is only for the flu and predated the COVID-19 pandemic by about six years.

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The agency is also recommending citizens take steps to protect themselves from COVID, influenza and RSV this winter.

A vaccine is available for the first time this year for RSV, and updated vaccines are available for the latest strains of influenza and COVID-19.

In addition to vaccinations, the Department of Health offers other recommendations for people to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses.

Among the tips — washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information on the flu and other contagious respiratory illnesses, go to emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/2023/pdf/CDC_HAN_503.pdf.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Southern Tier hospitals reimpose face mask mandates due to viruses