COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen 15.7 percent and deaths have increased by 17.6 percent, according to the CDC's most recent data spanning Aug. 20-26.
In response, hospitals and health systems across the country have reimplemented mask policies with fall approaching.
Here are five hospitals and health systems that have brought back mask policies in the wake of the surge since Aug. 23:
- St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, N.Y., brought back its mask policy only for its emergency department.
- Samaritan Health in Watertown, N.Y., started requiring masks for staff, visitors and patients across all facilities.
- Nuvance Health in Danbury, Conn., reinstated its mask policy for several locations across the state.
- UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., reinstated a mask mandate for staff.
- Binghamton, N.Y.-based United Health Services reintroduced mask policies at four locations throughout upstate New York.
Read about more hospitals and health systems reinstating mask policies here.