Ballad Announces Changes To Some Masks And Visitation Hours

A certain type of mask exclusion and updated visitation hours are a pair of changes coming to Ballad Health facilities starting Thursday. Chief Infection Prevention Officer Jamie Swift announced that masks with exhalation valves will be prohibited from being worn in all Ballad Health facilities following a recent CDC recommendation to not wear those certain types of masks. Swift said those valves are more for the protection from the wear and tear of the mask, and not effective in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Another change coming Thursday will include extension of visitation hours, now from 8 am until 8 pm, but the one person per patient rule will remain in effect.