A major healthcare provider in the United States is reintroducing mask mandates due to reported ‘significant levels of respiratory illnesses linked to various viruses.’

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), which provides services to millions every year, has declared that face masks will be mandatory in all hospital and outpatient settings, effective February 12.

Patients, visitors, support staff, and healthcare team members are required to wear masks in patient care areas, marking Pennsylvania as at least the ninth state to adopt new masking protocols recently.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, UPMC issued a statement on Monday indicating: ‘We are observing an increase in respiratory viral infections, including Covid, influenza, and RSV.’

‘To safeguard the well-being of our staff, patients, and visitors, it is essential for everyone within our facilities to wear effective face coverings, as these help minimize the spread of respiratory viruses in healthcare environments.’

‘We will continue to monitor the situation in our communities and will make adjustments as necessary.’

The rise of three viral infections — flu, Covid, and the respiratory virus RSV — has been noted. Currently, approximately a dozen states report ‘very high’ levels of respiratory illness, with Pennsylvania included.

While healthcare facilities in 12 states nationwide have reinstated mask requirements and visitor constraints this viral season, the use of face coverings continues to be a debated issue, with mixed evidence regarding their effectiveness.

The UPMC system operates over 40 hospitals nationwide, including a children’s hospital.

UPMC is a healthcare provider with a valuation of $28 billion, encompassing more than 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.

Recognized among the top hospitals in the nation, UPMC employs nearly 100,000 individuals.

The system handles approximately 350,000 admissions, garners around 6.7 million outpatient visits, manages 1 million emergency visits, conducts 270,000 surgeries annually, and provides 500,000 home care visits per year.

Currently, the CDC reports that emergency department visits for flu are at very high levels, while those for RSV are moderate, and low for Covid.

The positivity rate for influenza surged to 32 percent over the past week, whereas Covid and RSV positivity rates decreased to about five percent and nearly seven percent, respectively.

However, COVID-related wastewater levels remain high, with moderate levels for RSV and very high levels for influenza.

In Pennsylvania, where UPMC has numerous facilities, wastewater monitoring indicates high flu activity.

The CDC predicts that influenza cases will remain elevated and could potentially rise in most states over the next few weeks, as the peak of the viral season generally occurs in February.

Flu-related emergency department visits accounted for eight percent of all visits for the week ending February 1, an increase from seven percent the previous week and five percent a month earlier.

Covid accounted for approximately one percent of ED visits, remaining stable over the past month.

Meanwhile, RSV comprised 0.5 percent of visits, which also showed little change from the previous month.

According to the CDC, since October 2024, the estimated flu cases range from 24 million to 41 million, leading to between 310,000 and 650,000 hospitalizations and around 13,000 deaths, including at least 57 children.

RSV has resulted in 2 million to 4 million doctors’ visits, up to 230,000 hospitalizations, and up to 14,000 deaths during the 2024-2025 season.

For Covid, the CDC estimates around 10 million cases, 2.4 million doctors’ visits, 160,000 hospitalizations, and 18,000 deaths.

The situation has grown critical in certain states, leading to overcrowded hospitals.

In Utah, Taryn Bennion sought care for her two-year-old daughter, Penelope, who was experiencing severe simultaneous infections from RSV and Covid. However, the local hospital informed her that they had no available pediatric beds.

Medical staff at the St. George hospital advised Ms. Bennion that her daughter needed to be airlifted to another hospital due to the lack of necessary medical equipment there.

On February 2, Penelope, on her second birthday, was life-flighted to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah, where she required intubation.

On February 2, Penelope had to be life-flighted from her local hospital to Intermountain Primary Children’s hospital in Lehi, Utah due to resource shortages.

Penelope’s mother, Taryn Bennion, was informed at the local hospital that there were ‘six beds available in Lehi.’

RSV can pose a severe threat to toddlers under two years old, although instances of fatality are uncommon. However, when paired with Covid, the risk of serious illness escalates, challenging the lungs and immune system.

Both viruses can lead to airway inflammation, increasing the likelihood of pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

After two days of intubation and sedation, the young girl is now recovering, but doctors warn that other children may face similar dangers.

Dr. Nathan Money, a pediatric hospitalist at Intermountain Primary Children’s, noted: ‘Many adult hospitals with pediatric wards lack specialized pediatric intensivists on staff.

‘While they can adequately care for children even with respiratory illnesses to a certain extent, when a child requires intensive care—like mechanical assistance for breathing—this necessitates very specialized care and equipment.’