UPMC’s mask mandate goes into effect today at all of its facilities, including the Hillman Cancer Center in Indiana.
The mandate was reinstated after the hospital saw increases in COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other sicknesses, and it’s unclear how long the mandate will be in effect. UPMC officials say in a statement they are seeing increases in those diseases and are doing this to protect the health and safety of their employees, patients and visitors. Everyone in their facilities will be required to wear an effective mask which reduces transmission of respiratory viruses in health care settings.
The policy was last lifted in May of this year in most areas as cases declined. UPMC will be keeping track of the situation and make further protocol changes when needed.
The mask mandate is only for UPMC Facilities, including the Hillman Cancer Center in Indiana, and that mandate does not extend to Indiana Regional Medical Center itself. As for IRMC, they have no plans to make masking a requirement, but they also are monitoring the situation and are asking those who come to the hospital to exercise best judgement if they are sick or have been close to someone who has been sick. If you are visiting the room of a covid positive patient, proper personal protection equipment is required.
