Several hospitals on Maryland’s Eastern Shore have reinstated masking requirements in response to a significant increase in influenza cases. TidalHealth announced Friday that masks are now mandatory at its facilities, including TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury and Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.
Dr. Chris Snyder, hospitalist and chief quality officer for TidalHealth, explained the reasoning behind the renewed precautions. “We’re definitely seeing a rise in the last two weeks, and we’re being precautious about it,” Snyder said. He noted that emergency room visits are up and around 100 patients are currently hospitalized with influenza across three area hospitals.
Snyder described this year’s flu symptoms as including sneezing, persistent upper respiratory coughing, and low-grade fevers. He also mentioned that other illnesses are circulating alongside the flu: “There’s also some other bugs going around that are hanging on with it,” he said. “There’s a GI bug that gives everybody this nausea, vomiting, diarrhea thing that kind of confuses the mix.” Otherwise, he said, “It’s the usual upper respiratory stuff.”
According to Snyder, most patients experience severe illness for about three days before developing lingering symptoms such as runny noses and coughs which can persist for two to six weeks depending on preexisting conditions. He emphasized higher risks for asthmatics, older adults, and those with underlying health issues: “It’s definitely something that triggers other problems, especially if you have cardiovascular disease or pulmonary disease on top of it,” Snyder said.
“It’s definitely going to be a bad season, and I think it was predicted to be,” he added.
Snyder advised masking in crowded areas to help slow transmission and recommended frequent handwashing as well as vaccination against the flu. “It’s not too late,” he said. “The vaccine takes a couple weeks to kick in, but, vaccine’s are probably the most preventative way” to avoid the flu.
Other healthcare centers in Central Maryland have reported similar trends this week. According to The Baltimore Sun’s report Tuesday, Luminis Health officials saw an uptick in flu-related visits after Thanksgiving. The University of Maryland Medical System has also reported higher-than-normal case numbers.
Even Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed playing time due to flu symptoms in mid-December.
Recent data from the Maryland Department of Health Influenza Dashboard indicates respiratory illness activity is classified as high statewide; over 20,000 residents were tested last week with more than 34% testing positive for influenza. The percentage of people presenting with “Influenza-like Illness” reached 8.23% during Christmas week—the highest rate recorded at this time in five years and second-highest overall during that period.
TidalHealth stated all patients and visitors must wear surgical masks during patient visits; masks will be provided at check-in stations. Cloth masks will not be accepted and anyone who is sick is asked not to visit hospital facilities.
