ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - BJC Healthcare will reinstitute a mask mandate for all staff, the hospital tells KMOX.
Starting Wednesday, Dec. 13, BJC employees will be required to mask in patient care settings.
BJC Health officials say they have been closely monitoring the community infection rate -- and due to some growing numbers, they will once again begin requiring all employees to wear a mask when in patient care settings.
This new order does not, however, impact current guidelines for patients and visitors -- which were lifted back in March. Patient and Visitors will not be required to wear a mask, but the health care system does recommend them to wear masks.
The hospital says masks will be available at the entrances of their facilities.
The move is being made in order to control the spread of infection during what BJC calls this current peak respiratory virus season.
The new order comes as St. Louis County reported a 45 percent increase in new COVID-19 cases in the last seven days.