Though Covid cases and hospitalizations are falling fast in the U.S., two key metrics are still too high to ditch mask recommendations. People, particularly those at high risk for severe illness, should wear the most protective form of source control they can that fits well and that they will wear consistently. Update for Employers on Where the CDC Currently Stands on Masks| Foley The move comes after the CDC on Friday dramatically eased its COVID-19 guidelines for masks, including in schools, a move that means almost 72% of the population reside in communities where indoor face coverings are no longer recommended. Many other public venues still have special cleaning protocols. Home Health Care News (HHCN) is the leading source for news and information covering the home health industry. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. One such tweak upends longstanding recommendations not to test most people after a close contact if they have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days. This includes being near someone who has had close contact with a person infected with the virus within the previous 10 days. Community transmission is different from the community level metric thats used for non-health care settings., Community transmission refers to measures of the presence and spread of SARS-CoV-2, the CDC says. What's more, a potentially more transmissible subvariant of omicron, called BA.2, has now been detected in 1.5 percent of cases in the U.S., according to the CDC. "As the virus continues to circulate in our communities, we must focus our metrics beyond just cases in the community and direct our efforts toward protecting people at high risk for severe illness and preventing COVID-19 from overwhelming our hospitals and our health care system," said Walensky. Covid is not the only bug floating around and isn't the only one potentially harmful to vulnerable people. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. non-medical masks that comply with standards for safety and efficacy and can be washed prior to reuse; if the above options are not available, other types of well-fitting non-medical masks are an acceptable option (according to local policies). On February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its face masking guidance (once again). . In addition to the PPE considerations for all workers and employers of workers at increased risk of occupational exposure, CDC has developed strategies for optimizing the supply of PPE, including specifically for: CDC has developed interim guidance for healthcare providers who are coordinating the home care and isolation or quarantine of people confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19. How do I choose what fabric mask to buy, or ideal fit and fabrics if I make my own? 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Less than half of the U.S. population eligible for a booster shot has had one, according to CDC data. Gowns, gloves, and other gear are needed to prevent the transmission of pathogens spread by direct contact. Do not cross the straps because this can cause gaps on the side of the mask. Now, the CDC says facilities in just. Donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) made sense in early 2020, when Covid-19 began its relentless march around the globe. Work from clean to dirty (i.e., touching clean body sites or surfaces before touching dirty or heavily contaminated areas) and limit opportunities for touch contamination (e.g., adjusting glasses, rubbing the nose, or touching face with gloves that have been in contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients or contaminated/potentially contaminated surfaces). Until more is known about how COVID-19 spreads, OSHA recommends using a combination of standard precautions, contact precautions, airborne precautions, and eye protection (e.g., goggles, face shields) to protect healthcare workers with exposure to the virus. CDC Guidance: Over 90% of U.S. Population Can Drop Masks - US News Part of HuffPost News. Healthcare facilities may choose to offer well-fitting facemasks as a source control option for visitors but should allow the use of a mask or respirator with higher . 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