Leading the charge against the rising number of COVID-19 cases this summer, UC San Diego Health become the first major local healthcare provider to reinstate masking guidelines for its workforce. This move comes in response to a surge in coronavirus cases that began gaining momentum in June. A distinct rise in virus detection in local wastewater and increases in positive test results suggest a concerning trend, with recent reports revealing that 15.3% of test results on July 6 were positive- a considerable jump from the 8.1% observed on June 8.
While these figures correspond to an uptick at the national level-9% according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Erik Berg, a county public health advisor, reassures that there is no current stress on health care resources or a dramatic increase in mortalities. Dr. Erik emphasizes the essentiality of vaccinations for high-risk demographics and the importance of home isolation at the onset of fever or respiratory symptoms.
Triggered by the elevated risk associated with aging and specific existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, UC San Diego Health has initiated specific guidelines for its employees. Healthcare professionals operating in both hospitals and outpatient environments are required to wear masks during face-to-face interactions with patients for the next two weeks. Following this period, an assessment of viral activity will dictate whether to increase or decrease their infection-prevention efforts.
At the helm of UC San Diego Health’s medical directorship, Dr. Christopher Longhurst, signaled infection and hospitalization trends as the prime drivers of the recent masking initiative. Reading into the startling increase in employees reporting sick and the rise in patients from 10 to 30 within a week, Longhurst approved action in line with the healthcare system’s response plan. The plan set in place ensures a proportional response to infection trends, prioritizing both employee and patient safety.
While UC San Diego Health leaps ahead implementing mask mandates, other healthcare providers like Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, and Kaiser Permanente San Diego continue to recommend mask wearing within clinical areas or crowded environments and have yet to necessitate it. Furthermore, the county public health sector has amplified its no-cost testing availability at their three prominent health centers to accommodate the risen demand and contain the virus spread. Appointments are recommended but are not mandatory.