UMass Memorial Health is once again requiring all caregivers at its healthcare settings to wear masks during patient encounters.
“We have continued to see a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 positive employees over the past two weeks, which has led to exposures of both fellow caregivers and patients. In response to this, as a protective measure for our staff and patients, effective immediately we are requiring mandatory caregiver masking for all patient encounters in all licensed clinical areas,” said an Aug. 24 memo to UMass Memorial Staff.
UMass Memorial lifted its masking requirement in patient-facing settings in May, making them optional in all settings besides the emergency department and the oncology clinics, bone marrow transplant unit, oncology infusion center, and with transplant patients.
Masks remain optional in common areas including the cafeteria, but the memo encouraged all caregivers to resume mask wearing amid the increased spread.
