Southeast Wisconsin hospitals end mask mandate

Hospitals have been under tight control throughout the COVID pandemic, and visitors were limited and masks were required.

MILWAUKEE - Hospitals have been under tight control throughout the COVID pandemic, and visitors were limited, and masks were required. Employees and patients in southeast Wisconsin have the option to wear masks after roughly three years of masking up.

"I'm okay with it as long as I can still wear it because I’m going to wear mine," said Shelly Wilson, who works at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center.

Aurora Health Care began offering optional masking on Monday. Froedtert Hospital and Ascension Wisconsin began offering it last week.

Wilson works at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center cleaning patients' rooms. She said her mask will be staying on.

"Because COVID is still out there," said Wilson. "And then you have the RSV and all this other stuff that's out there."

Shelly Wilson

An Aurora Health Care spokesperson said the decision to remove masks was influenced by three things: the recent drop in COVID transmission rates, the end of cold and flu season, and the end of the COVID public health emergency.

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Optional mask signs

In Aurora Health Care facilities, signs now state that masks are optional, but are provided if needed.

"I mean, you can still get it with the vaccination," said a Aurora Health Care patient Jamere Blue. "So I really don’t see the difference with or without the mask."

Blue said he likes having a choice on wearing a mask.

Jamere Blue

"Yes, you have the option," said Blue. "Whether if you want to keep COVID down, some people just don’t care, and others do."

The three health systems said you do need to wear a mask when visiting patients in transmission-based isolation and if you are COVID positive.

Health experts said they will continue to monitor the transmission levels during each season and make changes as needed.

Statement from Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

"Starting April 10, the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network will join other area hospitals and health systems in loosening masking policies, while continuing to provide a safe, healing environment and protect our most vulnerable patients.

We ask that anyone with respiratory virus symptoms continue to mask in Froedtert & MCW health network facilities. We will continue to review CDC guidelines, local metrics and our own data, and will update masking guidance as needed to best protect our patients, visitors and staff."

Statement from Aurora Health Care

"Beginning today, all Aurora Health Care locations will no longer require people entering its sites to wear masks under most circumstances. These changes, which follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, are a response to consistently low COVID transmission rates, the end of the respiratory viral season and the expiration of the COVID public health emergency.

Additional background:

Masking will continue to be required for visitors of patients in transmission-based isolation, including patients who are COVID positive, and may apply in oncology and transplant units.
Our physicians, nurses and other clinical teammates will wear a mask if the patient requests it during their care encounter."

Statement from Ascension Wisconsin

"We continue to monitor COVID-19 Community Level and Community Transmission, as well as our own data, when determining masking policy within our facilities. Last week we moved to optional masking in our facilities located in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties based on their community transmission levels. We anticipate updating our masking guidance in our Southeast Wisconsin facilities within the coming week(s).

Ensuring the safety of our patients and associates is our priority as we work together to keep our communities healthy and prevent the spread of infection."

Statement from ProHealth Care

"As COVID-19 infection rates decline and we approach the expiration of the public health emergency, ProHealth Care has loosened its mask requirements as follows:

Masks are optional in the hallways, cafeterias and business offices within our hospitals. Visitors will be asked to wear masks while in patient rooms, and employees and providers will continue to wear masks when interacting with patients.
Masks are optional at ProHealth Medical Group clinics unless patients have signs of a respiratory virus.
Masks are optional at therapy sites unless a patient has a weakened immune system.
Masks continue to be required for everyone in our cancer centers.

We will continue to monitor community infection rates and guidance offered by public health officials, and update our policy as needed to protect our patients, visitors and employees."