Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Masks still available for those who choose to wear them
COLFAX — Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics will lift the mandated mask requirements on Monday, April 3.
Laurie Gronning, Manager of Administration Services at Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics, anticipates this will not affect operations, noting that masks will still be available for anyone who chooses to wear one.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza rates and hospitalizations have declined since last year’s end.
WHMC has policies and procedures to protect patients and healthcare workers against exposure to infectious agents in hospital settings.
“Patients, visitors, and personnel will continue to self-screen for symptoms of illness, and personal protective equipment will continue to be available and used appropriately, especially for the immune-compromised,” reports Gronning.
The Conditions of Participation in the Medicare program require hospital personnel to be fully vaccinated unless they have an employer-approved medical or religious accommodation.
“WHMC will continue to provide the vaccine at no cost, but a small medication administration fee will be billed to a patient’s insurance,” said Gronning.
WHMC may re-implement the mask mandate if the county and hospital see a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“WHMC will continue to follow CDC guidelines, CMS regulations, and Washington State mandates as issued,” said Gronning, “WHMC believes the lifting of the mask mandate will be positively received by many patients and hospital personnel. We will honor and provide masks to those who wish to continue this precaution.”
The lifting of the mandate will apply to healthcare, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities for those five and older.
Places with assisted living, such as Hill-Ray, are not listed to be affected by the mandate and will maintain independent operations.
The new lifting will also affect long-term care facilities like The Courtyard.
However, Kristy Simpson, Office manager of the Courtyard, believes the Courtyard should still follow local jurisdiction and the health department.
The Department of Health still mandates masking in long-term care facilities.
“They haven’t updated the guidelines yet, but they are under review,” said Simpson, “I feel like it’s time. We need to get back to some semblance of normalcy.”
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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