Hamilton Health Sciences to require medical-grade masks inside hospitals

Hamilton Health Sciences is making changes to its mask protocols.

As of Wednesday, HHS hospitals will require medical-grade masks. The hospital will provide these masks.

When entering hospital, patients and visitors will given a medical-grade mask by screeners and asked to put it on before entering the facility.

It also applies to delivery personnel, contractors and construction workers.

Current masking exemptions for pediatric patients and those will allergies or other medical conditions remain in effect.

Hamilton Health Science says the change is in an effort to keep staff, patients and visitors safe as COVID-19 cases continue to increase.

HHS hospitals are currently caring for 17 patients with COVID-19.