News Reader.info

Loma Linda , CA — Masking is no longer required in most buildings and areas of VA Loma Linda Health Care System. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, has released updated VA

COVID-19 masking guidance for medical facilities. Masking will only be required for staff, veterans, and visitors in high-risk areas. Due to the risk to vulnerable patients, masking is still

required in the following high-risk locations, including waiting rooms: * Oncology * Dialysis * Emergency Department * Community Living Center Masking also continues to be required:  * for

those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections.  * for VA staff during clinical encounters when requested by a Veteran, caregiver, or family member; or  *

where local leadership warrants continued masking is required. Active screening at entry points to the healthcare system buildings will be discontinued.  Building entries closed during the

pandemic to funnel staff and patients to screening stations will be opened. Staff members will continue to be present at primary entrances to patient care buildings to offer masks to those

who wish to wear them. Visitation restrictions will be eliminated or reduced depending on the area where patient care is delivered. Visitation of COVID positive patients will be permitted,

with visitors required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and documentation of acknowledgment of the risk of visiting. Visitors may present at any time of day; however, due to

multi-person rooms and privacy issues, overnight visitors will be limited to instances in which the care team determines that an overnight visitor is critical to the patient’s recovery. For

more information please contact: Ms. Mikaela Cade Chief Communications Officer VA Loma Linda Healthcare System [email protected] (909) 825-7083 ext. 6193 (909) 734 -7833