Effective yesterday,March 13th, the mask requirements at AdventHealth Ottawa have been lifted. Advent says that masks were a vital part of their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, but, the low CDC community levels and low hospitalization rates in the area now make it safe for masks to be optional in most settings. Masks are no longer required for staff members, patients or visitors at AdventHealth hospitals and clinics in Kansas, with a few exceptions. They will be required in any patient rooms where the patient has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or is known to have COVID-19 or another respiratory infectious disease. Masks will still be available to patient and guests if they prefer to wear them.
Franklin, Douglas, Miami, Johnson and Leavenworth Counties are all in the low CDC community level for COVID-19. Hospitalization rates have remained low and stable since February 2022. It is now safe for masks to be optional in most settings. Vaccines are widely available, and Advent says the community now better understands how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
There may be a time in the future that warrants a return to masking, and they will make that decision with careful consideration to avoid back-and-forth policies while continuing to prioritize the safety of staff and patients.
