Kaiser Permanente staff required to wear masks due to increase in influenza, COVID-19 and RSV

Kaiser Permanente is now requiring all staff to wear masks within its facilities statewide.

The policy, announced Friday, is the result of increased influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, cases, according to Karen Vitt, a senior communications consultant at Kaiser Permanente.

The health care system also recommends — but doesn’t require — that patients and visitors wear masks in outpatient care and hospital settings.

“All Kaiser Permanente Northwest staff and providers working in medical, dental, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital settings are now required to wear a mask in patient care areas, for the safety of patients, visitors and staff,” Vitt said in a statement to The Columbian.

As of Dec. 16, 1.2 percent of total hospitalizations in Clark County were related to COVID-19, according to the Washington Department of Health. Another 0.7 percent were due to RSV, and 1 percent were due to influenza. In Washington this season, 297 people have died of COVID-19.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people recover in a week or two, but infants and older adults are more likely to become severely ill and need hospitalization. Pregnant women and adults older than age 60 can be vaccinated against RSV.

At this time, Vancouver Clinic is not requiring patients or employees to wear masks but will continue to monitor illness rates.

“We’ve learned over the last four years that any decision we make would be based on data within Clark County, but I would not anticipate that there will be any change in our mask policy this week,” said Kelly Love, marketing director.

Legacy Health and PeaceHealth did not respond to The Columbian’s inquiries Wednesday.

According to the state health department, any health care facility has the option to require workers and visitors to wear masks.

The mask policy for Kaiser employees will remain in effect until the rates of respiratory illness fall.