As flu cases and related hospital admissions dramatically rise across Central Virginia and nationwide, numerous health systems and hospitals are enhancing their existing safety measures to curtail the spread of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza. The need to revise the standard safety measures emerges as the influenza season, which typically extends from October to March and peaks in February, experiences a sudden upsurge in cases in late December and early January. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently estimated at least 11 million incidences of flu illnesses, resulting in approximately 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths this season.
The Virginia Department of Health also reports a ‘high’ level of respiratory disease within the state, with almost a quarter of recent emergency hospital admissions associated with such illnesses. With the objective of safeguarding their communities, health institutions, including VCU Health, Centra, UVA Health HCA VA, Bon Secours facilities, and Children’s Hospital of Richmond, are actively updating and sharing their masking protocols and safety guidelines, applicable to clinical environments, to prevent further spread of influenza. The comprehensive patient masking advisory promotes the use of masks by symptomatic patients, irrespective of compliance with annual flu vaccines.
Specifically, patients displaying symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose or fever are highly advised to mask up while visiting medical setups. Some institutions additionally stipulate the requirement of masks for all visitors and patients within their emergency departments. However, the need for medical attention should not be deterred by the presence of symptoms.
Simultaneously, Dr. Kensley Nichols, Centra’s medical director for infectious disease emphasizes that despite being the best defense against severe flu illness, vaccinations do not guarantee absolute protection. Flu-infected individuals who have also received a vaccine can still disseminate the virus. Thus Dr. Nichols recommends additional safeguarding measures such as mask usage in the presence of symptoms.
To further restrict the flu spread within the community, individuals are advised to frequently wash hands, stay home when unwell, cover sneezes or coughs, and receive an annual flu shot. Mild symptoms can be attended to by a primary care physician or an urgent care facility, thus avoiding unnecessary strain on emergency resources. Individuals demonstrating flu-like symptoms considering non-essential hospital visits are also advised to postpone their plans. Swift awareness and precautionary measures are vital as flu-infected individuals can transmit the virus even before developing noticeable symptoms.
Source: https://farmvilleherald.com/2026/01/regions-hospitals-issue-masking-guidance/