Although the Oregon Health Authority lifted the indoor face-mask mandate on March 12, masks are still required in state health-care facilities until further notice.
“Samaritan’s hospitals and clinics are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of patients and our caregivers,” Samaritan Health Services President and CEO Doug Boysen said. “It is our duty to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our facilities, so we appreciate the Oregon Health Authority’s guidance on the use of face masks in health care settings. This will especially protect the most vulnerable patients, some of whom are immunocompromised or very sick and are at a high risk of severe illness or death should they get COVID-19.”
All Samaritan hospitals and clinics require patients, visitors and staff to wear well-fitting medical-grade face masks, often known as procedure or surgical masks, N95s or KN95s. These will be provided to patients and visitors who do not have one. Bandanas, gaiters, face shields and cloth face masks are not allowed.
“Masking is an important way to decrease the chances of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to a vulnerable person,” said Dr. Adam Brady, infectious disease physician and chair of Samaritan’s coronavirus task force. “Careful use of face masks and other infection-prevention measures will continue to protect vulnerable patients in our facilities.”
For more information about Samaritan Health Services’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including information about vaccination and testing, visit samhealth.org/Coronavirus.
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