This from the Calais Community Hospital Facebook page
UPDATED MASKING POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Required masking is now in place for ALL clinical areas. These areas have been identified as high-risk for our more vulnerable populations.
Areas include the departments of Emergency, Inpatient, Laboratory, Radiology, Surgery, Respiratory, and ALL CCH provider offices
Masks are optional in areas considered low risk: Cafeteria, Main Lobby, Hallways, Patient Access and Administration.
The masking policy change was made due to the significant increase in respiratory illnesses being seen among patients and staff and the continued rise in respiratory illnesses within Washington County. As always, the health and safety of every employee and those we serve will remain uppermost in our decision-making process as the leadership team continues to monitor transmission levels and adjust as necessary.
We will continue to monitor the local/county/state data with plans to reassess by the end of this week to determine next steps.
Remember to take precautions to protect yourself and help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses by washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you’re sick.