TO: Ballad Health All
FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center
DATE: Jan. 17, 2023
TITLE: Masking reminder
ACTION: Please post and cascade to all team members.
COVID-19 inpatient cases: 111
COVID-19 patients in ICU: 22
COVID-19 patients on ventilators: 2
COVID-19 pediatric inpatients: 0
While the flu and RSV are on the decline, COVID-19 cases are on the upswing in the region, including among team members – which impacts staffing and patient care.
It is crucial that team members follow Ballad Health guidelines on masking and on staying at home when showing symptoms of being sick, in order to prevent further spread. We also strongly encourage all team members to get the latest COVID booster shot.
New COVID subvariant – XBB.1.5
A new COVID subvariant – XBB.1.5 – is surging in the Northeast and is expected to spread nationwide over the coming weeks. It accounts for at least 28% of U.S. cases, according to CDC estimates.
World Health Organization officials have called it the “most transmissible subvariant” yet. Fortunately, there has been no indication so far that it is more virulent than other variants. The strain’s emergence comes as many people have let down their guard against COVID-19, with booster rates lagging and masking becoming less common.
Reminder about our current masking policy
Masking is still required in all patient care areas.
A mask is to be worn in ALL direct patient encounters. Examples include, but are not limited to, in hospital rooms, patient exam rooms, procedure rooms, when transporting a patient in the hallway, emergency registration and waiting rooms in physician practices where patients are presenting with respiratory illness.
Masks are still required for all team members in public areas where patients may be present, such as waiting rooms, public hallways and lobbies.
Stay home if you’re symptomatic
We’ve had instances where team members report to work despite being symptomatic for COVID-19. We appreciate the dedication to the job, but for safety’s sake, anyone with symptoms should remain physically away from work until they have tested for COVID, results are back and they are cleared to return to work by Team Member Health.
Get your booster shot
All team members are encouraged to get the latest COVID-19 booster shots. The updated bivalent booster is recommended for EVERYONE, regardless of age, medical history or number of COVID boosters already received. If you have not had a COVID booster since September, you are strongly encouraged to receive the newest booster as soon as possible.
Booster shots have proven effective in helping limit the severity of COVID infections. They are available at retail pharmacies and regional health departments. The vaccine boosters have proven effective in helping protect people from severe COVID illness, especially as the effectiveness of a previous COVID vaccination wanes over time.
NOTE: The bivalent booster is the only one available to the market right now, so there’s no need to specifically request it over other boosters.
Questions
Have a question about vaccines, a new variant or other COVID-related topics? Contact the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center at BalladhealthcorporateEOC@balladhealth.org.
