Masks still required at central Ohio hospitals for all patients & visitors

Area health care systems, including Mount Carmel Health System,
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, are
banding together to remind central Ohioans of current safety restrictions in place for hospitals. Per state
and federal guidelines, all patients and visitors must continue wearing masks and following other COVID19 safety protocols within healthcare facilities.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that “fully vaccinated people
can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing,” but these recommendations do
not apply to health care settings.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s latest statement is also in line with this recommendation, stating that everyone
should “wear masks when they are in a healthcare setting, when they are travelling on public
transportation, including airplanes, and when they are in a business or employer that chooses to require
masks.” He also emphasized the importance of vaccination, reminding Ohioans that “the vaccine is our
path out of the pandemic, and it is our best protection against the virus.”

Central Ohio’s health systems are committed to protecting the community and together will continue to
ensure protocols are in place that ensure the health and safety of their employees, patients, and visitors.

To help eliminate confusion and reinforce current safety guidelines, infectious disease specialists
from all four hospital systems will be available for media interviews:

• Mount Carmel Health System: Mark Herbert, MD
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Rustin Morse, MD
• OhioHealth: Joe Gastaldo, MD
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: Iahn Gonsenhauser, MD

For the most up-to-date information on vaccines and for other COVID-19 resources, visit
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home