Masks Required For Westchester Medical Center Emergency Departments

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Due to an increase in respiratory illnesses, masks are now required in the emergency departments of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

The mandate is in effect at Westchester Medical Center, MidHudson Regional Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital and comes from recommendations from the New York State Department of Health for health care and residential facilities.

Masks will be required for all visitors and workforce members in patient rooms and clinical areas of the emergency departments where patients may be encountered, according to information posted on Facebook.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said New York, excluding New York City, has a high level of overall respiratory illness activity.

Illness trends in Westchester County, based on visits to emergency departments, show COVID-19 increasing and RSV decreasing, the CDC said. There is no change in the level of flu activity.

Westchester Medical Center said the use of facemasks is strongly encouraged in all other areas of the hospital.

The hospital said that, if you have COVID, RSV or flu-like symptoms, you shouldn’t enter the facility.