"Hospitals Reinstate Mask Mandates Amid Rising COVID and Flu Cases"
Chicago-area health care systems are reinstating face mask requirements due to a surge in respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Rush, along with other health systems, now mandates masks in interactive settings. The policy change is a response to a significant increase in flu cases and elevated respiratory virus transmission. Health officials emphasize the importance of masking in high-risk areas and encourage vaccinations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV to reduce hospitalizations and severe infections.