COVID Infection Control in MA Healthcare Institutions
We urge all healthcare institutions in Massachusetts, including dental offices, to require universal masking and pre-procedure COVID-19 screening testing for all patients on admission and prior to outpatient elective procedures.
2023-24 Current Status
The below spreadsheet lists MA-based healthcare institutions and their policies about masking and COVID screening testing. If you notice errors in this spreadsheet, please email massche2020@gmail.com to let us know.
We applaud medical institutions that require universal masking for all staff, patients, and visitors in their buildings! 🏆 Thank you for helping to keep us safe!
Fast Facts
- Immunocompromised, disabled, chronically ill, and elderly patients have been left behind by the end of mask policies in healthcare settings.
- 4 in 10 patients with undetected COVID transmit COVID to their hospital roommate(s).
- Hospital-acquired COVID has a 5–10% mortality rate.
- Many prominent infectious disease experts support universal masking in healthcare, including Kalu et al. 2023, Palmore and Henderson 2023, and Chow et al. 2023.
- Over 50% of COVID transmission happens before patients develop symptoms.
- Half of healthcare workers go to work with COVID symptoms.
- Many U.S. counties and hospitals have reinstated universal masking policies for 2023-24:
- As of Nov 1, 2023, multiple California counties has reinstated universal masking in healthcare settings. This policy will be in effect until at least April 30, 2024.
- As of Oct 2, 2023, New Jersey’s largest healthcare network has reinstated universal masking.
- On Sep 26, 2023, Seattle-area hospitals released a new revised statement on universal masking in healthcare.
- As of Nov 1, 2023, multiple California counties has reinstated universal masking in healthcare settings. This policy will be in effect until at least April 30, 2024.
Feedback? Questions?
If you have feedback or questions about anything on this page, please email us at massche2020@gmail.com.