Charlotte-area hospitals to end universal mask mandate after declining COVID cases

Evan Moore
·3 min read

After a steady decline in COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, masks will no longer be required at Charlotte-area hospitals, health systems announced on Monday.

The decision, which goes into effect Tuesday at 7 a.m. and includes most healthcare facilities, will affect Atrium Health, Novant Health, CaroMont Health, Cone Health and Randolph Health systems, a joint news release indicated.

In a statement, Atrium Health cited the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and “community habits returning to pre-pandemic levels” as reasons for ending the mask requirement.

“The decision to make masking optional was not taken lightly, as we considered the tens of thousands of our patients, teammates and visitors this decision will impact,” said Dr. Katie Passaretti, vice president and chief epidemiologist for Atrium Health. “From the beginning of the pandemic, we have followed what the science tells us, and now it shows that, for many people, it is safe for a mask to be optional. We recognize some people may choose to mask because of personal preference or individual health matters and we encourage anyone who feels this way to continue wearing their mask. We also encourage patients to let us know if they prefer that their direct care team wear a mask.”

Drop in COVID transmission influenced decision

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in Mecklenburg County has declined every week since Dec. 31, with 393 cases reported during the week of March 18, according to the most recent data available from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. There have been 40 deaths in the county from the virus this year.

Mecklenburg County is currently in code green or low-level exposure for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention community levels indicator.

Levels can be low, medium, or high, and are determined by the CDC community levels map that examines available hospital bed capacity, COVID hospital admissions, and new cases in an area to determine the severity of transmission.

With the low-level exposure rating, the CDC is recommending that Mecklenburg County residents, stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. Those who are at high risk of getting very sick should talk to their healthcare providers about additional preventative measures, the CDC says.

Masks are still required in some areas

Masking will still be required at Atrium Health facilities “where higher levels of infection prevention are needed,” such as units where cancer patients are being treated, emergency department waiting rooms and triage areas, the release said.

Atrium noted in its statement that masks will still be available at its facilities for anyone who chooses to wear one and that patients may also request their caregiver wear a mask “if it makes them feel more comfortable.”

At Novant, visitors may also still be required to wear masks where respiratory virus symptoms are present and in treatment areas for high-risk patients, health system officials said.

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