Respiratory infections such as flu and RSV are on the rise, prompting hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties to reintroduce mask mandates. RWJBarnabas Health, which owns several hospitals in the area, has made this decision due to a surge in emergency room visits and hospital admissions associated with respiratory infections.
According to Dr. Andy Anderson, executive vice president and chief medical officer for RWJBarnabas Health, the main focus is on protecting visitors from RSV and flu rather than COVID-19. “We’re seeing mostly RSV and flu,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time, and we’re trying to get ahead of it.”
RWJBarnabas Health’s hospitals require visitors to wear masks, maintain physical distance, and clean their hands before and after visits. Hackensack Meridian Health, which owns several nearby hospitals, currently makes masks optional but will continue to monitor public health trends.
The surge in respiratory infections is attributed to low COVID-19 activity, with slight increases in emergency room visits and hospital admissions associated with the virus. However, health officials are concerned about the rising cases of flu and RSV, particularly among young children.
In response to the growing pandemic, hospitals are taking proactive measures to safeguard their communities. RWJBarnabas Health will continue to monitor data on respiratory infections before easing its masking policy.
Source: https://eu.app.com/story/news/health/2024/12/19/nj-mask-mandates-rwjbarnabas-health-hospitals-not-for-covid/77066011007