Santa Cruz County requires wearing of masks in acute care facilities starting November 1
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez said the order includes skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, and infusion centers such as dialysis and chemotherapy centers.
"These respiratory viruses can lead to severe illness, especially among certain groups such as infants, older adults, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system," Hernandez said. "This order is issued to curb the spread of these viruses to vulnerable populations and minimize the risk of severe illness and death."
All health care personnel and visitors in acute care facilities will be mandated to always wear a face mask during the respiratory virus season when indoors while conducting direct patient care or visiting a patient or resident in patient care areas.
County health officials are encouraging residents to be up to date on their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, including those that offer inoculation against the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all people 75 years and older receive the RSV vaccine as well as those 60 years and older who are at increased risk for severe RSV. The RSV vaccine is also recommended for people between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, the county's Health Service Agency said.
