APIC urges infection preventionists to continue masking

Editor's Note

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) relaxation of recommendations for universal healthcare personnel masking, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) on October 3 strongly urged its 15,000 members to continue masking in patient care areas.

Requiring masks for anyone entering a healthcare setting helps ensure a safe patient environment. With more than 300 Americans dying each week from COVID-19 and a predicted virulent flu season, now is not the time to risk patient and healthcare worker safety, APIC says.