Masks are still required for all in healthcare settings

The CDC launched new COVID-19 Community Levels last week that changed to a combination of three measurements — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. According to the CDC, the proposed COVID-19 community levels provide a sizeable improvement over the use of community transmission levels as a way to identify regions that will experience severe COVID-19 outcomes 3 weeks later. Campbell County’s community level is rated as low.

In many areas of the country, this new CDC guidance has resulted the relaxation of masking requirements in public places, such as schools. We have received questions from the community and our staff about whether masking requirements will continue at Campbell County Health.

The CDC clearly states that the new guidance does not apply to healthcare settings like hospitals and long term care facilities. Campbell County Health is subject to the CDC’s infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare settings. This means that masking continues to be a requirement for employees, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors in all CCH facilities. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to provide quality healthcare for our community, especially those who are most vulnerable.