Following CDC Guidance, Local Hospital Systems Continue To Require Masking Inside Facilities Wednesday, May 19, 2021 To best protect the health of patients and employees and to further minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the community, five local hospital systems in the Chattanooga area will continue to require masking in their facilities for all visitors and employees of the health systems. CHI Memorial, Parkridge Health System, Rhea Medical Center, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, and Tennenova Healthcare - Cleveland all continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and their facial covering protocols will remain in place. The CDC recently updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people, but emphasized that guidance does not apply in healthcare settings. The CDC continues to recommend “visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, should wear a well-fitting cloth mask, facemask, or respirator for source control” when in a healthcare facility.