Effect of Universal Masking on Non-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Healthcare-Associated Respiratory Viral Infections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory viral infections are common and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the impact of universal masking implemented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on other healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections (HA-RIs) in an academic medical center.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed among all inpatients aged ≥18 years admitted between 1 May 2019 and 30 June 2022. Universal masking was implemented in May 2020 at our hospital and state-level mask mandates had been lifted by May 2021. We evaluated and compared the HA-RI rates, adjusted for monthly community-onset viral infections, during the premasking period, universal masking period, and post-community mandate period.

Results

We identified

SUBMITTER: Munigala S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11521325 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature