UW Medicine's clinical facilities will continue to require visitors to wear a surgical mask, undergo COVID-19 screening, and provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test beyond March 12, when Washington state and local masking mandates cease. [View the full COVID-19 visitor policy.]

"We are here first and foremost to protect our patients, many of whom are immunocompromised. We also need to protect our healthcare workforce. We really appreciate everyone continuing to wear masks in our facilities," said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics.

Approximately 20 COVID-19 inpatients are currently admitted to UW Medicine hospitals, but a number of factors are keeping hospitals full, Brandenburg noted.

"There are a number of patients who (on their own) delayed care during the COVID surge. So we are having patients come back into the healthcare system. ... As well, there are patients whose surgeries had to be rescheduled due to the governor's mandate and are now coming back to have their surgical care."

Access broadcast-ready video assets on UW Medicine's visitor policies and capacity of hospitals.