In an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to staff and other patients, Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall has implemented a universal masking policy that requires all individuals entering the hospital to wear a mask.
A news release says individuals are encouraged to wear their own mask from home to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) in use by hospital personnel, but a mask will be provided to any individual who does not have one at the point of entry.
In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19, which include utilizing cloth face masks.
Last week, the hospital announced it has begun rescheduling certain elective procedures that had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the “No Visitor” policy is still in effect, pulmonary function tests, 3D mammograms and other radiology procedures have resumed. As the number of individuals within the facility increases with the resumed procedures, the need for additional precautions exists.