Friends and Colleagues,
As you know, the most recent guidance from the CDC recommends that people in health care settings continue to wear masks in all clinical and public areas when Community Transmission levels remain classified as High. As of March 17, 2023, the Community Transmission levels in Bexar County have fallen from High to Substantial. While this metric can fluctuate, other local indicators are consistent with a lower risk of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This includes stable and relatively low numbers of hospitalized patients that test positive for COVID-19 among local health care facilities as well as reduced SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater that are monitored by the CDC.
In consultation with our Infectious Disease specialists, UTHP will shift to a voluntary masking policy for patients and employees in all clinical areas. We, however, require that masking continue to be practiced for significantly immunosuppressed and other high-risk patients within the Mays Cancer Center. We also recommend continued masking for any symptomatic patients or personnel. This policy is in alignment with other areas of UT Health San Antonio and our partners at UHS, but may be adjusted if the COVID-19 situation significantly changes. We will continue to monitor local COVID-19 activity in our area along with ongoing new evidence and guidance.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UTHP has continued to use evidence-based practices and CDC guidance to inform decisions for reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in our facilities among providers, team members, patients, and visitors. We thank you for your continued diligence to protect fellow team members, patients and visitors during the pandemic and your sustained focus on safety and attention to infection prevention practices at UTHP.
Chatchawin Assanasen, MD, MBA
Interim Chief Medical Officer, UT Health Physicians Ambulatory Services
Professor and CCRI Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Oncology
UT Health San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano-Long School of Medicine
