(Weirton, WV) – With the upcoming expiration of the national health emergency for COVID in May and
declining COVID, RSV and influenza cases, WMC is revising their facility masking policy effective Monday
February 13, 2023.
Kelli McCoy, WMC Director of Communications stated, “While the hospital remains very busy, we are seeing a
decreasing number of patients presenting with COVID and other viral conditions. In addition, the COVID
patients that are presenting have a much lower illness severity than we saw in 2021. Our new mask guidelines
are based on policies that were developed by WVU Medicine as well as other updated clinical data.”
The new WMC policy specifies employees, visitors, and patients will no longer be required to wear protective
masks in our hospital or clinics with a few exceptions.
McCoy explained, “Employees are still required to wear a mask when engaging in direct patient care or
servicing occupied patient care spaces such as with housekeeping or dietary. We are asking patients to
continue to wear masks anytime they leave their rooms for their protection. And as always, we are requiring
anyone with respiratory symptoms to wear a mask when they are in any of our facilities. Of course, any
employee, patient or visitor is always welcome to wear a mask based on their preference.”
The masking policies in WMC’s skilled nursing unit on the 6th floor will remain in place for visitors and staff
pursuant to state regulations for nursing home facilities.
McCoy ended, “Our policy has always been based on clinical data and trending so if there is an upsurge in
cases at any point in the future, we will have to revisit this policy. As part of our mission to provide
exceptional, compassionate healthcare, a big part of that care is the personal interaction our staff provides to
our friends and community. We know our whole WMC family is excited about the opportunity to reconnect
personally with those patients and families.”
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WMC TO RELAX MASK POLICY
