Please read the message below which was first sent as an email from HM Executive Vice President Roberta Schwartz on March 29, 2023:
This email has been a long time coming! But we are happy to report that COVID-19 transmission levels have decreased enough in our communities that we can now ease our masking restrictions. Today we only have 109 COVID-19 patients in our hospitals. Consistent with guidance from the CDC, low transmission levels mean health care facilities do not need to enforce universal masking. So, what does this mean for you and our patients?
- Masks are only required for employees and physicians in patient care areas, including hospital nurse’s stations.
- Masks are no longer required, but still recommended, in common areas like the cafeteria, hospital lobbies and waiting rooms.
- Patients and visitors are no longer required to wear masks but encouraged to do so in waiting rooms and clinical areas.
- If patients show signs of upper respiratory infections, they should be encouraged to wear a mask in waiting rooms and during appointments.
- In PO clinics, staff and physicians should continue wearing masks while with patients.
- In the hospitals and in the PO clinics, staff working at front desks, reception areas and registration desks, are no longer required to wear masks. However, we continue to recommend wearing them.
- Masking is no longer required, but recommended, in Houston Methodist administrative areas and areas that are restricted from patient access.
- Masking is not required during meetings and events where contact with patients is not anticipated.
Also, please continue wearing a mask everywhere if you:
- Had close contact (patients and visitors) or a higher-risk exposure with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection for 10 days after their exposure.
- Work on a unit or area of the facility experiencing a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
- Received an exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, which means you are still required to mask in all areas.
Testing
There are also changes regarding testing. We will no longer require unvaccinated staff to test weekly. We still recommend testing for employees or physicians who are symptomatic, and PCR testing is still available at Houston Methodist for employees or physicians who want testing.
We will continue to screen patients who require an aerosol generating procedure for COVID-19 by PCR.
Houston Methodist gyms
We are also lifting restrictions for all Houston Methodist gyms. Starting April 1, spouses and approved students can return to the gyms, and masking is no longer required. Please email wellnesshmh@houstonmethodist.org for questions related to access to the gyms.
On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is due to expire. Here’s a good read on how it might impact various health care organizations. Thank you for your extraordinary commitment to our patients over the past three years.
Roberta L. Schwartz
Executive Vice President
Chief Innovation Officer
Houston Methodist Hospital
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