(Ithaca, N.Y., February 14, 2023) – Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is sharing with the community updated guidance from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regarding mask wearing in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, home health care and hospice agencies, and diagnostic and treatment centers.
NYSDOH’s updated guidance aligns with the latest federal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on community transmission level of disease. The updated guidance asks facilities to develop their own plans regarding masking requirements for both staff and visitors, using the CDC’s community transmission level as a minimum threshold, which states that communities in a High Community Transmission Level should wear high-quality masks; at a Medium or Low level, masks are recommended but not required.
Tompkins County is currently in a High Community Transmission Level, which is different from the community level data reflected on the TCWH weekly dashboard. Community Transmission Level is the metric recommended to guide healthcare settings to allow for earlier intervention, before there is strain on the healthcare system and to better protect the individuals seeking care in these settings. The COVID-19 Community Level, in contrast, places an emphasis on the current impact of COVID-19 in terms of hospitalizations and healthcare system strain, while accounting for transmission in the community.
The CDC updates their COVID-19 data on Thursdays; Tompkins County’s weekly data table is updated on Fridays.
Frank Kruppa, Whole Health Commissioner stated, “Healthcare facilities as defined in the guidance should continue to require mask wearing for both staff and visitors until such time that the transmission levels fall to medium or low. At that time, based on their own unique circumstances, facilities may choose to operate based on CDC level guidance. We ask the public to please respect the operating plans as developed by the specific facility.”
Kruppa continued, “Masks have been a highly effective strategy at reducing the spread of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory illnesses. We would like to remind the community that anyone may choose to wear a mask for any reason at any time.”
COVID-19 Test Kits and KN95 masks for youth and adults are available at no-charge at locations throughout the county. Call the location nearest you to check current availability of these resources.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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