Central Virginia hospitals encourage masking for respiratory symptoms as flu cases rise

With flu cases and hospitalizations surging across the nation and in Virginia, a number of Central Virginia hospitals and health systems are urging people who may be sick to wear masks in those facilities.

In a joint statement issued by HCA Virginia, Bon Secours Mercy Health, VCU Health, Centra, UVA Health and the Children's Hospital of Richmond, officials also encouraged people with flu-like symptoms to seek care immediately.

"Patients who need medical care should not delay treatment due to symptoms," officials said in the statement."

Local health systems also are seeing more cases of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, the officials said. 

Flu season spans the months of October-March, with cases often peaking in February. This year, cases have surged in late December and into January. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 11,000,000 illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from flu so far this season.

The Virginia Department of Health indicates a “moderate” level of respiratory illness in the state, with 19.2% of recent hospital emergency department visits attributable to respiratory illness for the week ending Jan. 10.

At all of the hospitals and their facilities, patients with flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or a runny nose are being strongly encouraged to wear a mask if they are able and are being advised to notify the front desk upon arrival at provider offices, urgent care centers, and emergency departments. The requirement applies even if the patient has received their annual flu vaccine, officials said.

Although vaccination against the flu is the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, it is not 100% effective, and people who have received the vaccination still can contract and spread the virus. Masking when symptoms are present provides an additional layer of protection, officials said.

Other ways people in the community can help stop the spread of the flu include:

• frequent handwashing;
• staying home when sick;
• covering coughs and sneezes;
• getting an annual flu vaccine.

Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and, in some cases, vomiting or diarrhea.

If symptoms are not serious or life threatening, patients are encouraged to visit a primary care doctor or urgent care facility for treatment of flu and respiratory virus symptoms. That prevents unnecessary emergency room visits, which preserves capacity for patients with serious illness or injury, officials said.

Patients and visitors experiencing flu-like symptoms also are encouraged to consider postponing non-essential visits to hospitalized loved ones when possible. Individuals infected with the flu can spread the virus before symptoms are fully apparent, making awareness and early precautions critical.