After posting to social media that masking would be required, UPMC redacted its statement and said no mask mandate will go into effect.

Due to a recent rise in COVID and other respiratory illnesses, UPMC is "strongly encouraging" patients and visitors to wear masks in all of its facilities.

A UPMC spokesperson says the health system’s policy now states that masks are “strongly encouraged” as flu, Covid and RSV cases are on the rise.

PITTSBURGH — UPMC said that it will soon require all patients, visitors, support persons and staff to wear masks in its patient care areas due to a rise in respiratory illnesses. Masks will be required in all UPMC hospitals and outpatient areas starting on Feb. 12, according to a Facebook post on the Children’s Community Pediatrics page.

Two days after issuing a mask mandate for its facilities, UPMC has softened its language stating masks are recommended, not required. On Monday, UPMC issued a statement that masks would be required for people in all its facilities in an attempt to curb the spread of respiratory viruses.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), one of the largest hospital systems in the United States, is reinstating mask mandates in response to rising cases of respiratory illnesses driven by multiple viruses.

People visiting UPMC hospitals and health care offices should plan on wearing a mask, effective Wednesday. Affiliates of the Pittsburgh-based health care system signaled the move on social media Monday.

Masks are recommended in inpatient care facilities, like hospitals outpatient centers, urgent care and senior living facilities.