Effective immediately, hospitals and health care systems lift the masking recommendation for patients and families entering area hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, urgent care centers, and branch clinics, including those seeking outpatient services at hospitals. This recommendation has been in place since December 23, 2014, when flu reached the highest level noted by public health. This measure was put in place to help limit the spread of flu during a time when the vaccine was a poor match the circulating strains.
According to the latest public health reports, seasonal flu activity has declined to regional levels in Virginia and North Carolina. With flu no longer at the highest level, health systems lift the masking recommendation for patients and families.
Area providers commend patients and families for supporting its goal of protecting the community from disease. Masking the community proved to be another tool to limit flu among patients, visitors, family members, and staff at medical facilities.
Participating hospitals and emergency departments include:
Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center
Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Riverside Doctors’ Hospital
Riverside Regional Medical Center
Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital
Riverside Tappahannock Hospital
Riverside Walter Reed Hospital
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Sentara CarePlex Hospital and Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Heart Hospital
Sentara Obici Hospital
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
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Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital
Sentara Freestanding Emergency Departments at BelleHarbour, Port Warwick, Independence, and Lake Ridge
Southampton Memorial Hospital
Martha Jefferson Hospital
Martha Jefferson Emergency Department at Proffit Road
Sentara RMH Medical Center
