"Resurgence of Mask Mandates in US Hospitals Amid Threat of Respiratory Viruses"
Rising cases and hospitalizations for respiratory viruses, including Covid, flu, and RSV, have prompted some US health systems to reinstate mask and limited-visitation policies. Vaccination rates for all three illnesses remain low, despite the availability of updated flu and Covid boosters and new RSV vaccines. Hospital admissions for Covid are up, and concentrations of Covid in wastewater are the highest since January 2022. Experts caution that comparing wastewater surges is difficult due to different shedding speeds and measurement tools. Two studies suggest that the currently circulating JN.1 variant may infect the lungs more effectively, but there is no evidence of increased severity. Hospitals in several US cities have implemented mask policies, and pediatric hospital bed capacity is similar to last winter's "tripledemic". Public health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, mask-wearing, ventilation, hand washing, and staying home when sick.
