All well being care workers caring for sufferers in Sonoma County might be required to put on masks from November to April, based on a county information launch issued Tuesday.
All well being care workers caring for sufferers in Sonoma County might be required to put on masks from November to April, based on a county information launch issued Tuesday.
The order from Dr. Karen Smith, the county's appearing well being officer, goes into impact Nov. 18 and lasts via April 30.
“Annually, we see larger charges of influenza, COVID-19 and different respiratory viruses that may trigger severe respiratory infections between late fall and spring,” Smith mentioned. “Influenza and different seasonal respiratory viruses infect tens of thousands and thousands in america every year and might trigger severe medical outcomes, together with hospitalizations and demise.”
Smith's order applies to all staff working in affected person care areas, no matter their vaccination standing, the county mentioned, including that it additionally applies to companies with well being care supply amenities.
Smith mentioned he recommends that everybody who’s eligible obtain up-to-date COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines to guard them towards respiratory sicknesses throughout the winter. It additionally recommends that individuals put on masks indoors when threat ranges are excessive.
“The coexistence of influenza season with the probability of one other surge of COVID-19 within the late fall/winter might improve the danger that our well being programs might be overwhelmed with sufferers with important respiratory sicknesses,” Smith mentioned.
Contact workers author Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @annavarmstrongg.