The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is set to expire May 11, 2023. The Oregon mandate for face mask use in healthcare settings will be lifted April 3, 2023. Starting April 3, individuals and healthcare providers who do not have active respiratory symptoms may choose to wear a mask, or not, according to their own assessment of risk and comfort. This includes Lumina employees, volunteers, and clients during hospice and palliative care visits.
Lumina prioritizes the safety of those we serve as well as our staff. We are moving from an infection prevention policy, focused on COVID-19, to a broader and stronger policy than we had prior to the Public Health Emergency. Face masks have been shown to decrease the risk of transmission and infection with respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and others. Lumina recognizes that some clients, employees, and volunteers may choose to continue utilizing the personal protective measure of wearing a face mask beyond April 3. If you would like to have Lumina employees and volunteers continue to mask when visiting, please ask and they will do so.
Masking will still be expected of Lumina employees and volunteers, and asked of patients, caregivers, and others present during visits who are exhibiting active respiratory symptoms such as frequent coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Also, in the acute recovery period from known COVID-19 infection, masking should be continued for 10 days after mild infection and 20 days after severe infection. Exceptions are allowed for individuals who are acutely short-of-breath, unable to remove the mask themselves, or cognitively unable to use a mask properly.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in continuing to minimize transmission of infections among Lumina staff, volunteers, patients, patients’ families, and our community as we move beyond the last three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 541-757-9616.