The last weeks of the year were marked by a considerable increase in weekly flu hospitalizations in Colorado, reaching unprecedented levels in over two decades. As clinicians at UCHealth contemplated how to respond to the deteriorating situation, Banner Health, an Arizona-based hospital system, swiftly adopted a comprehensive masking policy across its facilities throughout six states, including Colorado from the last hours of December 31st onward. This strategy mandates that patients, visitors, and staff wear masks anywhere patients are located until further direction.
This precautionary measure was deemed necessary due to the increased risks faced by elderly patients and those with weakened immune systems. Dr. Marjorie Bessel, Banner Health’s Chief Clinical Officer, stated that safeguarding these vulnerable populations was of utmost priority as it could effectively mitigate the spread of the virus. The strict protocols, reminiscent of those enforced during the spring of 2023’s public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, were reintroduced in response to a new H3N2 flu strain variant surfacing, dubbed subclade K.
Despite the absence of evidence suggesting higher severity for subclade K compared to other circulating flu strains, according to WHO, it’s the strain’s potential to lead to increased hospitalizations and longer stays, particularly among older adults that’s concerning. This year, the strain has notably affected children as well, as reported by data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suchitra Rao, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, reported that an unprecedented number of children, primarily unvaccinated, were being admitted to the hospital this flu season due to the flu strain.
Statistically, Colorado’s hospitalization trends mirror the crisis at Children’s Hospital, demonstrating a record-breaking flu season in the state. Despite stabilizing hospitalizations to typically-seen levels, Colorado experienced a spike in weekly flu-related visits beyond 800, the highest since the initiation of data recording in 2004.
Consequently, healthcare professionals and advocacy groups are pushing for more stringent measures. Mask Together Colorado, founded by mathematics professor Dr. Maria Gillespie, petitioned for a masking mandate similar to Banner Health in UCHealth and Children’s Hospital Colorado to combat the rise in hospitalizations.
Despite the unlikelihood of UCHealth and Denver Health implementing such a measure at present, hospitals are still taking precautionary measures such as specialized air filtration systems and hand hygiene protocols. Practitioners advise those experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay away from social contact as much as possible and to follow basic preventative measures.
Regardless of a lesser efficacy of this year’s flu vaccine against the H3N2 subclade K variant, especially among adults, health experts still recommend getting vaccinated due to the heightened activity of influenza B and the effectiveness of the vaccine in significantly reducing hospitalizations among Children as per recent data.
Masking advocacy isn’t exclusive to Colorado; on an international level, the World Health Network has urged WHO to update guidelines establishing universal respirators for all healthcare interactions to reduce infections among patients and workers.
Despite the many obstacles, Gillespie of Mask Together Colorado continues to champion for normalizing masks in healthcare settings. She believes patients desire a higher level of safety in care settings than they often admit but may hesitate to communicate this due to fear or uncertainty. As for the potential barriers in implementing universal masking, Gillespie believes innovation and awareness about the various available options can overcome this.