While mask mandates have been lifted in places like schools and businesses, hospitals are one place where masking is still required for employees, patients and visitors.

“For the health and safety of vulnerable populations we take care of here, we are still requiring masks when you come to the hospital,” said Leah Glasgo, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently changed the guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. On May 16, the organization released new guidelines stating that individuals who are fully vaccinated “can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

Glasgo is optimistic that as more people become vaccinated, the hospital can loosen its grip on the mask requirement. But until that time comes, the hospital is remaining diligent and cautious.

“We know there’s a lot of changes that have come out from the CDC, and it is really promising how vaccines are reducing transmission,” Glasgo said. “But the recommendations for health care facilities have not changed.”

In fact, Glasgo said COVID-19 is still present within the community.

“We are taking care of COVID patients right now,” Glasgo said. “We still have COVID patients within our organization and are caring for them, so we still want people to mask while they are in the hospital.”

According to Iowa’s coronavirus website, Webster County has had seven positive tests in the last seven days. Its positivity rate is down to 2%. Some counties are reporting 0% positivity rate. The highest rate reported in the state currently is 16% in Fremont County.

“People who either can’t get the vaccine or who are immunocompromised, we want to protect those people as much as possible,” Glasgo said.

Glasgo said the best thing citizens can do to help return to normal is to get vaccinated.

“We want to encourage people if they are eligible, to get a vaccine as soon as they can to help us get back to normal activities that we are all eager for,” she said. “The vaccines are working. As more and more people get vaccinated, we think we will see the recommendations changing.”

The hospital’s waiting rooms are open. Visiting hours are between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

“We do work with families if there are circumstances whether it’s end of life care or a diagnosis,” Glasgo said. “We do our best to accommodate families — the patient and the caregivers that are with them. We encourage people to share with our team if they have special circumstances. We will do our best to meet those special considerations.”