The New York City public health system is reintroducing the mask-wearing requirement due to the increase of COVID, flu, and other respiratory infections.
The rule, which took effect just after Christmas, applies to anybody who visits New York H+H hospitals, community health centers, or nursing homes.
“As we’ve seen an increase in COVID, flu and RSV, this is really to protect our patients, staff and the community,” stated Christopher Miller, spokesman for NYC Health + Hospitals.
According to city data, the number of COVID hospitalizations has been rising, reaching 106 on December 20. The Bronx’s Mott Haven/Port Morris, Staten Island’s Silver Lake/St. George, and Brooklyn’s East New York are the Big Apple’s most severely affected communities.
Respiratory disease among New York City residents has reached the “very high” level, which is the highest on the CDC’s scale, according to the most current statistics from the organization.
Low booster uptake may have contributed to the surge; according to The New York Times, while over 80% of New Yorkers have gotten their initial vaccination, just 18% of the population has received the bivalent booster.
For the time being, however, most private hospital systems are postponing the implementation of mandates. Most of the latter only need masks for visitors who will be interacting with immunocompromised patients or who have respiratory problems.
Staff members, patients, and visitors are also being asked to cover up in other states including Illinois, California, and Massachusetts.
