MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Masks no longer required in many WA hospitals, some continue policy

Apr 3, 2023, 7:52 AM | Updated: 8:51 am

hospital masks...

Masks will no longer be required in Washington hospitals as of April 3rd. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has ended the requirement to wear masks in hospitals as of April 3.

The Secretary of Health Mask Order required masking in healthcare, long-term care, and prisons or jails for people aged 5 and older.

Ross: While masks are just a recommendation, they did save us in the past

“Masks have been – and will continue to be – an important tool, along with vaccinations, to keep people healthy and safe,” said Washington state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah, MD, MPH. “We are thankful for our health and long-term care providers, staff members, patients, and all Washingtonians, for following the important public health measures put in place during the pandemic to protect one another.”

DOH continues to recommend masks for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors in healthcare settings. Licensed healthcare facilities are required to have infection prevention policies and programs consistent with CDC guidance.

Some hospitals have made the decision to continue requiring masks, including University of Washington Medicine, EvergreenHealth, Swedish Medical, Overlake Medical, Kaiser Permanente Washington, and Seattle Children’s.

These hospitals and others signed a consensus statement with the NW Healthcare Resource Network saying that while the state did not feel the need to require masks, they would continue the policy in a certain area of the facility as they each see fit.

“Our organizations will continue to require masking in patient care areas and strongly recommend or require in public spaces,” the statement said. “We do so with the expectation that public health and infectious disease experts will assist in determining how best to guide masking policies in the future. We understand that the health impacts of this pandemic continue to develop, and future policies will need to take into consideration multiple factors.”

COVID-19, RSV, and influenza disease rates have continued to decline in Washington, and hospitalizations have also gone down since the end of last year.

Local or tribal governments, facilities, and providers may choose to continue to require masks in these or other settings.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

8 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

9 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

11 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

11 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

12 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

15 hours ago

Masks no longer required in many WA hospitals, some continue policy