Some Bay Area counties beginning this week have required masks once more in sure indoor settings as a result of resurgence of respiratory sicknesses resembling COVID, flu and RSV.

The masks mandates are for particular settings associated to well being and medical care, specifically docs’ workplaces, clinics and hospitals.

Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Sonoma counties are requiring well being care staff to masks up at work. Santa Clara County is mandating face coverings not just for well being care staff but in addition for sufferers and guests.

The masks mandates aren’t a stunning or sudden change. Earlier this 12 months, these counties had introduced they might require face coverings in response to the respiratory sickness season.

After a slight summer time surge, COVID-19 instances have been dropping throughout the state and nation. In late August, the state’s take a look at positivity fee reached 13%, its highest degree because the summer time of 2022, however has since dropped to six.5% as of Oct. 27.

Many well being specialists, nonetheless, anticipate a swell in instances this winter, as has occurred every year because the pandemic started.

The mandates are anticipated to final till spring.