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Masking policy is easing because of a downward trend in COVID-19 cases.
Lehigh Valley, Pa. (April 14, 2023) – Beginning 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.
“For several weeks, COVID-19 cases have trended downward in the communities LVHN
serves, which makes this change appropriate given the current conditions,” says Alex Benjamin, MD, Chief Infection Control and Prevention Officer, LVHN. “We 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.”
While masking will be optional in most areas, there are circumstances and locations
where masks will be required for patients and guests. These include:
- Anyone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis
- Anyone with respiratory viral symptoms
- Transplant donors and recipients
- Patients and guests in Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute inpatient and outpatient locations
- Patients receiving infusion therapy
- NICU visitors
- Inpatient psychiatric units
Anyone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case should not be visiting LVHN sites.
LVHN’s transitional skilled unit (TSU) at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–17th Street must follow the rules and regulations established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Therefore, masking requirements will be clearly indicated on site and will be dependent upon the presence of active COVID-19 cases on the unit.
“In these circumstances and locations, masking continues to be important because it provides an extra layer of protection from COVID–19 for our most vulnerable patients,” Dr. Benjamin says. “People who are immunocompromised or at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are always strongly encouraged to wear a mask in public.”
Dr. Benjamin says LVHN continues to urge everyone to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, meaning a person who received their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and any recommended boosters.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, and one in Lehighton, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children; burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center; and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance), an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the third largest children’s hospital in Pennsylvania, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Information provided to TVL by:
Jamie L. Stover
Media Relations Specialist
Marketing & Public Affairs
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, PA 18105
