New Brunswick’s Horizon Health Network has introduced mandatory masking in patient-facing clinical areas, including emergency rooms due to an increase in respiratory illnesses.
The regional health authority said all health-care workers, patients, social visitors, and designated support persons (DSPs) will be required to wear “medical grade” face masks in all patient-facing and clinical areas of its facilities.
Horizon oversees 12 hospitals, and more than 100 medical facilities, clinics, and offices throughout the province.
“We are seeing a rise in respiratory virus activity across our communities,” Horizon said in a Sept. 2 news release. “With this upward trend, and knowing this time of year historically leads to further increase of viral transmission, Horizon is taking a proactive and precautionary measure and reinstating masking in patient-facing/clinical areas.”…