Mount Nittany Health ends mask requirement for most patients, visitors

Mount Nittany Health on Wednesday relaxed its COVID-19 masking policy.

Patients and visitors no longer have to wear masks unless they are showing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID. Those who wish to wear masks are welcome to, and the health system will continue to provide masks for those who are interested. This change applies to all Mount Nittany Health locations except for a handful that a news release did not specify, though it noted that those who are affected have been notified.

At Mount Nittany Medical Center, patients and the employees accompanying them will be required to mask when patients are being transported or walking in the hallways, according to a Facebook post.

Visitor policies at Mount Nittany Medical Center will return to where they were before the pandemic and areas such as the cafeteria will go back to their pre-COVID setup.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Upendra Thaker said health system officials will continue to keep tabs on COVID and related guidelines and will make adjustments if necessary.

“Mount Nittany Health’s first priority has always been the safety of our people, patients, and visitors,” Tiffany Cabibbo, executive vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer, said in a written statement. “To this end, our team has continually monitored recommendations, mandates, and guidance from the CDC, OSHA and state and local public health organizations, and has set our policies accordingly.”

Mount Nittany’s dashboard shows three hospitalized COVID patients as of Tuesday, with none in intensive care or on a ventilator.

The policy change comes after President Joe Biden on Monday signed a House bill ending the COVID-19 national emergency that’s been in place since 2020.

At Geisinger facilities, masks are required in treatment areas such as exam rooms and patient rooms but are optional everywhere else.

This story was originally published April 12, 2023 at 2:44 PM.