Covid-19 mask mandate returns in the US
A mask mandate has been reintroduced in the US following a recent rise in Covid-19 and seasonal flu cases.
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Having remained quiet for a long time, Covid-19 has returned to the agenda due to an increase in cases in some states in the US. A mask mandate for Covid-19 has been reintroduced in hospitals across the US states of New York, California, Illinois, and Massachusetts. The Covid mask mandate is expected to expand further.
MASK MANDATE REINTRODUCED
In many US states, a large number of people have been hospitalized recently due to Covid-19 and seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an upward trend in hospitalizations due to Covid-19. Following this, local authorities across the US have reimplemented mask mandates in hospitals.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan made a statement on the matter. In the statement made yesterday, it was noted that wearing masks has been made mandatory in 11 public hospitals, 30 health centers, and 5 patient care facilities in the city. Los Angeles County officials, meanwhile, have ordered all staff and visitors in healthcare facilities to wear masks.
In his statement regarding the issue, Vasan said, “The last thing we want is to experience staff shortages. During the Omicron wave in 2022, our healthcare workers as well as the public got sick.” One of the reasons for introducing the mask mandate in hospitals is to prevent the virus from being transmitted to healthcare workers.
LATEST DATA IN THE US
According to the latest data released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), more than 29 thousand people were hospitalized nationwide due to Covid between December 17-23, 2023. There was an increase of approximately 16% in the number of people hospitalized compared to the previous week. We can say that this is a significant factor in the introduction of the Covid mask mandate. Additionally, over 14 thousand 700 people were hospitalized nationwide due to the flu during the same period.
The mask mandate is currently only being applied in hospitals. However, officials are holding discussions to implement measures in other public spaces as well.
We hope that the Covid-19 virus, which has flared up during the winter months, does not spread to our country. We hope that no new cases are seen in our country and that a Covid mask mandate is not experienced again in Turkey.