By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
Starting today, many area health organizations are taking the masks off.
University of Michigan Health-West and Corewell Health have announced masks will be optional in most areas starting today with Trinity Health Michigan starting optional mask wearing on Monday, April 17.
For the facilities, the decision was made after reviewing recent COVID-19 medical data, and much considerations and conversations with leaders at other health systems. The move comes as the number of COVID-19 infections in West Michigan continues to decrease, and many community members have some level of immunity from immunization or prior infection.
University of Michigan Health-West
Patients and visitors will not be required to wear masks in UMH-West facilities except when they are seeking medical care for respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, visiting patients in precautions for COVID-19, or if a household contact has COVID-19. The discontinuation of the mask mandate applies to both inpatient areas and ambulatory centers.
There are several situations in which healthcare team members will be required to continue masking, including interacting with patients who have an immunodeficiency, who have received a transplant, residing in long-term care facilities, have an acute respiratory illness, or who request the healthcare team to wear a mask.
“After more than three years since the pandemic changed our lives in many ways, we want to thank all of our patients, their families, and our staff members for their commitment to keeping each other safe by masking every day. The decision to discontinue the mask mandate is in recognition of the low number of COVID-19 patients and the immunity level of many community members,” said Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer at UMH-West.
The UMH-West leadership team encourages everyone to continue to practice good hygiene habits, including covering coughs and sneezes and handwashing. Additionally, the hospital system continues to monitor COVID-19 cases closely and will take appropriate measures as needed to protect the health and safety of its patients, visitors, and staff members.
Trinity Health Michigan
Starting on April 17, there will be optional masking for patients, visitors and colleagues at hospitals, outpatient facilities, home health, and physical offices, except for senior living communities.
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
As of Thursday, April 13, employees and visitors are no longer required to wear a mask except in 24/7 patient care settings and specialty care units. Patients will continue to be screened/tested for COVID-19 at admission and are not required to mask unless endorsing symptoms f illness or diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
Starting today, masking is recommended but optional for patients, visitor and clinical teams at the Grand Rapids hospital campus, West Michigan outpatient locations, and Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetic+Bionics locations. The Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation program will continue to require masks for patients, visitors and staff.
Trinity Health Michigan does have a list of what health organizations are doing. To see that list, click here.
