{"id":117560,"date":"2023-04-15T11:11:31","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T15:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=117560"},"modified":"2023-04-15T11:13:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T15:13:17","slug":"face-masks-optional-in-most-areas-in-lvhn-facilities-starting-april-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=117560","title":{"rendered":"Face Masks Optional in Most Areas in LVHN Facilities Starting April 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

Masking policy is easing because of a downward trend in COVID-19 cases.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (April 14, 2023) –\u00a0Beginning April 17, face masks will be optional for patients, guests and employees in most areas where patient care is provided within Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals and health care facilities. Masks continue to be optional in non-patient care areas such as cafeterias, pharmacies, chapels and gift shops.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor several weeks, COVID-19 cases have trended downward in the communities LVHN<\/p>\n

serves, which makes this change appropriate given the current conditions,\u201d says Alex Benjamin, MD, Chief Infection Control and Prevention Officer, LVHN. \u201cWe will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and adjust our masking policy accordingly if cases increase to protect our patients, visitors and colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n

While masking will be optional in most areas, there are circumstances and locations<\/p>\n

where masks will be required for patients and guests. These include:<\/p>\n