Sonoma County Officials Mandate Masks for Health Care Workers in Patient Care Settings
Sonoma County officials have issued a health order requiring health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings due to the rising cases of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza. The order comes as a preventative measure to protect those at the highest risk of severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses.
Dr. Karen Smith, the county’s interim health officer, emphasized that respiratory illnesses causing severe infections are more prevalent between the fall and spring seasons. Individuals in health care and congregate facilities, especially young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions, face a higher risk of hospitalizations and death related to respiratory viruses.
The transmission of respiratory illnesses from health care workers to clients, patients, and co-workers is a concern. During the pandemic, many elderly residents in senior care facilities were infected by staff members who had contracted the virus either at home or in the community. To curb the spread, workers in direct care, health care, and congregate facilities are now required to wear masks.
The decision to issue this health order was influenced by COVID-19 wastewater surveillance and hospitalization rates. The level of COVID-19 virus in Santa Rosa and Windsor wastewater is increasing. At the same time, COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county have reached 31, the highest number since mid-April.
Dr. Smith stated that the goal is to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, even though current hospitalization rates are still significantly lower than during the worst surges of the pandemic. The masking rule for health care workers mainly applies to medical staff who have direct contact with patients.
The health order applies to staff at various health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, infusion centers, dialysis centers, skilled nursing facilities, and other indoor patient care facilities. This mandate is the first related to the coronavirus since the state and county lifted masking rules in April. At that time, COVID-19 levels were considered low.
In addition to the masking rule, Dr. Smith strongly recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against severe outcomes. She also advised getting a flu shot, regardless of vaccination status, and wearing masks in public indoor settings when the COVID-19 or influenza risk is high in Sonoma County.
The county anticipates a potential surge in respiratory illnesses this winter due to the coexistence of high rates of COVID-19 and a severe flu season. Such a surge could put significant strain on the local health care system and medical workforce. While year-round mandatory health orders are no longer necessary due to widespread testing, treatment, community vaccination, and fewer fatalities, vulnerable residents remain at risk.
Dr. Smith became the interim health officer for Sonoma County and issued this health mandate. The county’s last pandemic-era health order, which banned large gatherings, was issued on January 10, 2022. Most subsequent health orders were amendments or orders rescinding previous mandates.
For further information, contact Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @pressreno.