Flu prompts mask mandate at health system with Lancaster County operations
LancasterOnline • • health
Key Points:
- Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has implemented a mask mandate for all staff interacting with patients due to rising influenza cases, with masks required for patients and visitors in high-risk areas such as cancer centers and emergency departments.
- The decision was based on flu test positivity rates exceeding 30%, with officials anticipating the flu peak in the next week or two; mask policies will be reviewed weekly and masks will be provided on-site.
- Other major health systems in Lancaster County, including UPMC and WellSpan, currently do not have mask mandates but encourage optional masking in certain situations to reduce respiratory virus spread.
- UPMC supports masking in patient-accessible areas during elevated transmission periods, while WellSpan recommends optional masking in busy settings or when around immunocompromised patients
