UPMC requires masking amid respiratory disease spread

YEAH, LAURA, UPMC SAYS THAT MASKS ARE BEING REQUIRED FOR ANYBODY WHO GOES INSIDE OF THIS HOSPITAL, AS WELL AS ANY OF THEIR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, ALL DUE TO DISEASES LIKE INFLUENZA, COVID 19 AND RSV. THE UPMC TOLD ME TODAY THEY DID NOT HAVE ANYBODY AVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW. BUT IN A STATEMENT, THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SAID THAT EVERYONE IN THEIR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES WILL HAVE TO WEAR EFFECTIVE MASKS TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, AND THAT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NUMBER OF CASES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ADJUST AS THE SITUATION EVOLVES. OTHER HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, THOUGH, LIKE PENN STATE HEALTH AND LANCASTER GENERAL, SAY THEY’RE NOT RECOMMENDING. EXCUSE ME, THEY ARE RECOMMENDING, BUT NOT REQUIRING MASKING AT THIS POINT INSIDE OF THEIR FACILITY. SO AGAIN, RECOMMENDING BUT NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRING IT. DOCTORS, THOUGH, SAY THAT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT’S A RECOMMENDATION OR A REQUIREMENT, THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE IS CLEAR BOTH IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IN THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY. SO THE KIDS ARE COUGHING EXUBERANTLY AND WE’RE CLUSTERED TOGETHER. WE’RE GATHERING INDOORS IN THE INSIDE AIR. AND SO IT’S IT’S NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL. IT’S NOT AT ALL SURPRISING TO SEE THESE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES SPREAD THROUGHOUT FAMILIES. AND IN SCHOOL AND WORK SETTINGS. DOCTOR EMILY LINK WITH PENN STATE HEALTH SAYING THAT THE SEASONAL SITUATION CER

UPMC said it is requiring anyone who goes inside their health care facilities to wear masks to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, particularly influenza.In a statement, UPMC said, “To protect the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, everyone in our health care facilities will wear effective masks, which reduce transmission of respiratory viruses in health care settings. We will continue to monitor the number of cases in our communities and adjust as the situation evolves.”So far, more than 250 people have died from Influenza in Pennsylvania this flu season. The virus is listed as being in high-spread activity.The same goes for RSV, though the Pennsylvania Department of Health said the spread of the disease is decreasing.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

UPMC said it is requiring anyone who goes inside their health care facilities to wear masks to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, particularly influenza.

In a statement, UPMC said, “To protect the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, everyone in our health care facilities will wear effective masks, which reduce transmission of respiratory viruses in health care settings. We will continue to monitor the number of cases in our communities and adjust as the situation evolves.”

So far, more than 250 people have died from Influenza in Pennsylvania this flu season. The virus is listed as being in high-spread activity.

The same goes for RSV, though the Pennsylvania Department of Health said the spread of the disease is decreasing.

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