In accordance to CDC and OSHA guidelines, GRMC will continue to follow the masking mandate for anyone in a healthcare facility after July 1st, when the State of Emergency in Maryland is lifted. As a healthcare facility, GRMC treats the most vulnerable as well as the most critically ill people in the community. In order to protect both patients and staff, the hospitals administration has decided to follow federal health guidelines by continuing to require masks of everyone entering the hospital and any off-site facilities.
“We remain committed to protecting our staff and patients, who rely on us to provide care in a safe surrounding,” said Kendra Thayer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services. “We appreciate the community’s continued support with this important public health measure.”
Under the latest CDC guidance, health officials maintain that masks should continue to be worn in congregated settings and health care facilities. They also emphasized that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must also wear masks in health care settings.
“With covid-19 numbers improving and state and local restrictions relaxing, we have been able to allow more visitation. As more people will be entering the hospital, it is critical to keep our patients safe from illness,” said Thayer.
Masks significantly reduce the risk of infection and transmission of COVID-19. Patients and visitors who refuse to wear a mask pose a significant threat to health care professionals and other patients in hospitals and clinics. Many of these individuals are immunocompromised and have conditions that increase the risk of serious complications from the virus.
“Healthcare facilities have a concentration of the most vulnerable population for illness,” said Marjorie Fridkin, MD, Chief Medical Officer at GRMC. “The continued use of masks at GRMC is an important step to protect everyone in the hospital, especially those who have a compromised immune system or have a high risk of serious complications from Covid-19.”
