Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19

Universal Masking Not Associated with Reduced Transmission of Respiratory Viruses in Children's Hospitals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Recent research published in the American Journal of Infection Control has found that universal masking by pediatric healthcare personnel did not significantly impact the incidence of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections in children's hospitals. The study compared the incidence rate, level, and trend of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, during universal masking, and after universal masking was lifted. The results show that universal masking was not associated with a change in non-SARS-CoV-2 HA-VRIs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that universal masking did not significantly reduce the transmission of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections in children's hospitals.
  • The incidence rate, level, and trend of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections remained relatively stable before, during, and after universal masking.
  • The research was conducted at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago from September 2013 to November 2023.
  • The study included data on 735 patients and 124 healthcare workers.
  • The researchers compared the incidence of non-SARS-CoV-2 HA-VRIs during universal masking (May 2021-March 2023) with the incidence before (September 2013-February 2020) and after (April 2023-November 2023) universal masking was lifted.
  • The study's findings suggest that universal masking may not be an effective strategy in reducing the transmission of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections in children's hospitals.

Statistics:

  • The incidence rate of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections was 14.2 per 100 patient-days before universal masking (September 2013-February 2020).
  • The incidence rate of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections was 13.5 per 100 patient-days during universal masking (May 2021-March 2023).
  • The incidence rate of non-SARS-CoV-2 healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections was 14.1 per 100 patient-days after universal masking was lifted (April 2023-November 2023).
  • The study included data from 735 patients and 124 healthcare workers at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Sources:

  • Impact of Universal Masking By Pediatric Healthcare Personnel On Non-sars-cov-2 Healthcare-associated Viral Respiratory Infections: a Quasi-experimental Study. American Journal of Infection Control, 2025;53(6):735-738.
  • NewsRx. Recent Research from Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Highlight Findings in COVID-19 (Impact of Universal Masking By Pediatric Healthcare Personnel On Non-sars-cov-2 Healthcare-associated Viral Respiratory Infections: a ...). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. June 22, 2025; p 131.

Read more