Masks are making a comeback inside Finger Lakes hospitals as flu and respiratory illnesses spike to record levels across New York.
Health systems in Cayuga County and the Rochester region have rolled out new masking rules for staff, citing a surge in flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases and growing pressure on hospitals statewide.
Auburn adopts universal staff masking
Auburn Community Hospital has reinstated universal masking for employees, doctors, students, and vendors. The policy applies across the hospital, medical offices, urgent care sites, and its long-term care center.
Patients and visitors don’t have to wear masks, but hospital leaders strongly encourage it. Officials say masking helps protect vulnerable patients and slows the spread of illness as cases climb in the community.
Finger Lakes hospitals follow suit
Hospitals in the Rochester area have taken similar steps. University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health both brought back masking requirements for staff and issued strong guidance for patients and visitors.
Hospital leaders say rising respiratory illness has strained emergency departments and inpatient care, prompting the renewed precautions.
Flu cases hit historic highs
The New York State Department of Health recently reported more than 70,000 flu cases in a single week — the highest total ever recorded. Flu hospitalizations continue to rise as the season intensifies.
Doctors urge people to get vaccinated, stay home when sick, and use telemedicine when possible. Health systems also stress that emergency rooms should be reserved for the most serious cases as hospitals work through the surge.
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