Officials wrote in a letter to patients Thursday that Johns Hopkins hospitals and doctor offices will require everyone to return to wearing masks because COVID-19 and flu cases are high and vaccination levels are low.

The system follows others, including LifeBridge Health and the University of Maryland Medical System, directing patients, staff, and visitors to mask up in inpatient areas.

“We anticipate this requirement to be in effect on a short-term basis while influenza-like illness rates are high,” Hopkins officials wrote. “We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust the requirement as needed.”

The masking policy reflects guidance from the Maryland Department of Health in late December. In a letter to healthcare providers, it said the combined virus-associated hospitalization rate exceeded ten hospitalizations per 100,000 residents. It pointed specifically to COVID-19 and influenza cases.

In the week ending Dec. 16, the state’s rate was 11.4.

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