City's public health system reinstates mask mandate for staff, visitors amid rising rates of Covid, flu and RSV.

COVID-19 pandemic; PUBLIC health; INFLUENZA; MASK laws; MEDICAL personnel

New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) has reinstated a mask mandate for all employees and visitors due to increasing rates of Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The mandate applies to all 11 public hospitals, community health centers, and post-acute care facilities in the city. Covid-19 cases have been rising in New York City, with an average of 1,400 daily cases leading up to Christmas. Statewide, hospitalizations have more than doubled since the beginning of last month. Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the New York City health commissioner, supports the mask mandate, stating that it "makes a lot of sense." The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and getting updated Covid-19 and flu shots. H+H employs 45,000 healthcare professionals and serves over 1 million patients annually. [Extracted from the article]

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