COVID-19 remains a public health concern and the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to circulate in Connecticut and throughout the United States. As of October 20, 2023, the following guidelines remain in place for SARS-CoV-2 testing and masking at UConn Health.

1. COVID-19 Testing

Preoperative and admission testing for SARS-CoV-2 for asymptomatic patients will no longer be required in most areas. Patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatry units will continue to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission.

Patients with any symptoms of acute respiratory illness/infection should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 as clinically indicated. Upon ordering SARS-CoV-2 testing for symptomatic patients Airborne and Contact Precautions with Eye Protection will be initiated and continue until test result returns negative.

2. Universal Masking

In accordance with the latest UConn Health Mask Protocol issued on October 20, 2023, due to  increased COVID-19 community transmission, UConn Health’s workforce is required to wear a mask during all direct, patient-facing interactions in both outpatient and inpatient settings. This includes when entering a patient room or prolonged, close contact with a patient. Future additional masking requirements may be implemented in specific units, clinics or departments by UConn Health and will be communicated with entryway signage.

Additionally, masking continues to be required:

• In any location, for any individual at UConn Health (employee, learner, patient) who has signs or symptoms of respiratory illness.*
  *Important: Employees should not come to work sick. Those with respiratory symptoms should call the COVID-19 Call Center for guidance on evaluation and testing.

• For those required to be masked upon return to work after a COVID infection; and

• For any individual with a known, recent (within the last 10 days) high-risk exposure to COVID-19.

Masks are recommended by UConn Health for both patients and visitors. However, patients and visitors are required to wear a mask in our facilities if:

• They have symptoms that may be due to respiratory illness.
• They have had a known, recent (within the last 10 days) high-risk exposure to COVID-19.

Anyone who prefers to mask in areas where masking is not required should feel free to continue masking.

Please note that, while classroom masking will generally be optional, individual instructors are permitted to continue to require masking in their classrooms or instructional spaces. Also, hosts of certain events or gatherings may require masks for attendees.

Questions? Visit Masking Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Health care personnel are welcome to electively wear a mask at any time outside of these circumstances. Anyone with health concerns seeking additional protection against respiratory infection is encouraged to mask.

Future Changes

Masking guidelines will continue to be reevaluated and will be revised based on changing respiratory virus epidemiology/conditions and public health guidance. This may include broader masking requirements in the future. Any changes to mask guidelines in clinical settings will be communicated to the UConn Health community. Should broader masking requirements be warranted in a specific area of UConn Health this will be communicated to the leadership in that area.