POUGHKEEPSIE – Sources have told Mid-Hudson News that both Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) in Poughkeepsie and Putnam Hospital in Carmel are reinstating the “mask” policy that was mandatory during and post-COVID pandemic times. Employees at VBMC were advised of the change on Monday.
A patient who was undergoing pre-operative care at VBMC was told that a mask or other approved facial covering needed to be worn when the patient returned today (Tuesday) for surgery.
Both hospitals are part of Nuvance Health which operates seven hospitals in New York and Connecticut. The healthcare conglomerate also operates several doctors’ offices in the region.
Messages to the VBMC spokesperson on Monday regarding the reinstated mask policy went unanswered. The Nuvance Health website does not indicate any new mask policy.
The New York State Department of Health has been observing a new strain of COVID and has instituted a monitoring program to plan for preventative measures, if needed.
