Santa Cruz County Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez has issued a public health order requiring the use of face masks in acute care facilities due to the typical rise in respiratory virus cases seen between fall and spring each year.
Hernandez’s order applies to everyone who is not a patient in acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, as well as infusion centers, including dialysis and chemotherapy facilities.
“These respiratory viruses can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable groups such as infants, older adults, pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems,” Hernandez said in a media release. “This order aims to reduce the spread of these viruses and protect those most at risk from severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death.”
The release sent out on Thursday also recommends this year’s COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shots. See the California Department of Public Health’s vaccine recommendations here.
The order goes into effect at midnight on Nov. 1.
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