RI Imposes Masking Requirement To Slow Spread Of Flu

A worsening problem with the flu has prompted the Rhode Island Department of Health to require that unvaccinated healthcare workers in hospitals and other facilities wear masks while working directly with patients.

"The masking requirement helps protect healthcare workers from catching the flu, and helps protect patients who are often dealing with other serious health issues," department Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said in a statement.

"For people who have not been vaccinated yet, it is not too late," she added. "Flu vaccine is the single best way to keep yourself and the people you love safe from the flu. Getting vaccinated today will provide you with months of protection."

Unvaccinated healthcare workers must wear masks when involved in direct patient contact, such as entering a patient’s room, serving food to patients or participating in group patient activities. The requirement also applies to all licensed EMS practitioners not yet vaccinated.

The health department uses five tiers to categorize flu activity: no activity, sporadic activity, local activity, regional activity, and widespread activity. The flu is now considered widespread.

The healthcare facilities and organizations to which the masking regulation applies are:

• Adult day care programs
• Assisted living facilities
• CVS Minute Clinics
• Free-standing ambulatory care surgical centers
• Free-standing emergency care facilities
• Home care providers
• Home nursing care providers
• Hospice providers
• Hospitals
• Kidney treatment centers
• Nursing facilities
• Organized ambulatory care facilities
• Physician ambulatory surgery centers

Everyone older than 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu every year, the department said. Vaccination is particularly important for pregnant women, younger children, people over 50, nursing home or group home residents and people with chronic conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems. Flu shots are available at doctors' offices and pharmacies throughout Rhode Island.

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