ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (January 19, 2026) – Citing a significant increase in influenza cases and other respiratory illnesses among patients, staff, and community, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) will be implementing universal masking effective Tuesday, January 20.
The decision is based on current surveillance and was made in collaboration with Medical Leadership and Infection Prevention, said NVRH Chief Medical Officer Ryan Sexton.
“The medical team will continue to closely monitor local and facility-specific positivity rates and update this policy accordingly,” he said in a statement. “We plan to re-evaluate the need for universal masking in three weeks.”
NVRH staff will be required to wear a mask while in patient-facing areas, including treatment spaces, waiting rooms, registration areas, and public hallways. Staff are encouraged to wear masks when outside of their own individual office areas including communal spaces and conference rooms.
Patients and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks at all times while at NVRH facilities to help reduce the spread of respiratory illness.
The goal of these temporary measures is to increase patient and community safety, help keep staff healthy, and to reduce operational disruptions due to illness.
“Influenza is transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when people talk, cough, or sneeze,” says NVRH Infection Preventionist Jamie Dyson. “Wearing a mask significantly reduces the spread of these droplets, making masking an effective tool to limit flu transmission during periods of high community spread.”
There are other steps you can take to prevent the spread of respiratory illness, says Dr. Sexton.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- If you feel sick or have symptoms like a fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath, stay home.
- Stay up to date on vaccines. Vaccines help protect against serious illness, and if you do get sick, can lessen the severity and duration.
NVRH appreciates the community’s cooperation and shared commitment to protecting our patients, colleagues, and community members.