ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - With the rise of COVID-19, influenza and RSV throughout the St. Louis-area since the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of St. Louis announced that effective Friday, it will reinstitute a mask mandate for all city employees.
"With activity of winter viruses rising at such a rapid pace, we must take action to slow transmission and prevent strain on our hospital systems," said Director of Health Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis in a letter to employees obtained by KMOX.
City of St. Louis employees will be required to wear a mask indoors and while on duty, City of St. Louis employees must wear a face covering when riding in City vehicles with one or more individuals.
Davis cites an increase in COVID-19 cases as the reason for the decision as according to Davis, for COVID-19, 270 people in the St. Louis region were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the week of Dec. 23, a 26% increase over the previous week, and a 38% increase from the previous month.
In addition, flu cases this season are 55% higher than the highest median value of the past five years, and RSV positive tests in BJC's health are 190% higher than the highest median value of the previous four years.
St. Louis City employees aren't the first people to see a mask mandate return. Hospitals like BJC Healthcare reinstituted a mask mandate back in early December, requiring all employees to wear a mask when in patient care settings.
Davis recommends all employees to receive the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine. Only 11% of all St. Louis City residents had received it.