Mask Mandate Reinstated At Southern Ocean Medical Center

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — All patients, visitors and staff at Southern Ocean Medical Center will have to mask up upon entry, as Hackensack Meridian Health has reinstated a mask mandate.

The mandate comes as the hospital experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases, according to a Hackensack Meridian Health spokesperson.

Four of the network's hospitals are requiring masks effective immediately:

• Southern Ocean Medical Center
• Riverview Medical Center (Red Bank)
• Ocean University Medical Center (Brick)
• Old Bridge Medical Center and Carrier Clinic

Masking remains optional at the network's other hospitals.

"This decision was made due to an increase in COVID-19 prevalence in these hospitals, facilities and communities. The health and safety of our team members and patients has always been and continues to be our number one priority," Hackensack Meridian Health spokesperson Jessica Cohen Nussman said in a statement provided to Patch. "Currently, masking is strongly encouraged, but not required at our other hospitals and facilities. We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 activity in our communities and other hospitals."

The four hospitals join two others in New Jersey that recently reinstated masking policies: Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House. Read more: 2 South Jersey Hospitals Reinstate Mask Policies

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 remain low statewide, according to New Jersey Department of Health data.

But data also shows that coronavirus cases have been increasing over the past few months. More than 6,000 positive cases have been reported since the beginning of September, according to the Department of Health.

The state recommends that anyone who has not gotten a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months get an updated one to prepare for fall and winter. You can find locations at vaccines.gov.