UPMC walks back mask requirements

Two days after issuing a mask mandate for its facilities, UPMC has softened its language, stating that masks are recommended, not required.

On Monday, UPMC issued a statement that masks would be required for people at all its facilities in an attempt to curb the spread of respiratory viruses. On Wednesday, a post on UPMC’s Facebook page indicated the health care giant is now simply recommending masks.

Monday’s post was removed from Facebook.

A reason was not given for the change.

As of Feb. 1, Allegheny County reported 7,204 cases of flu and 1,646 cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Westmoreland County reported 1,711 flu cases and 311 RSV cases, according to the state’s Repiratory Virus Dashboard, which is updated on Tuesdays.

Allegheny Health Network is not mandating masks but encourages people to wear them in its facilities, a spokesperson said.

Independence Health System requires masking in some places, a spokesperson said.

UPMC issued a mask mandate in December 2023 during a surge in respiratory viruses. That mandate lasted about two months.

Masks have been a contentious issue since the covid pandemic in 2020. Some medical experts say masks prevent the spread of illnesses while others find them uncomfortable and believe they are useless.