With a gradual increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations this summer, some hospitals, schools, and businesses have reinstated mask mandates. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the emergence of two new COVID-19 variants—EG.5 and BA.2.86.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the EG.5 variant as a "variant of interest" and stated its risk to global public health is low. The BA.2.86 variant has been reported in the U.S., U.K., Denmark, South Africa, and Israel. According to the CDC, this variant may be more likely to infect people with existing immunity to COVID-19, either from vaccinations or prior infections.
For the week ending August 19, at least 15,000 new hospital admissions related to COVID-19 were recorded. In response to the rise in cases, various institutions have taken precautionary measures.
Morris Brown College in Atlanta has reinstated its mask mandate for a two-week period starting from August 20. The mandate requires all students and employees to wear masks and also imposes restrictions on the size of gatherings.
In Los Angeles, some employees at Lionsgate are now required to wear masks in specific areas of its headquarters after a cluster of COVID-19 cases were reported.
Healthcare companies like Kaiser Permanente in California and United Health Services in New York have also reintroduced mask mandates. Auburn Community Hospital and Upstate Medical’s hospitals in Syracuse, New York, have similarly mandated the use of masks.
While there is no indication of a nationwide reinstatement of mask mandates, localized actions are being implemented to manage the rise in COVID-19 cases.
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