Banner Health to require masks at all facilities starting Jan. 1 due to flu spike

Banner Health will require all patients, visitors and staff to wear masks starting Jan. 1 due to a spike in flu cases.

Dec 31, 2025, 1:54 PM Updated: 1:59 pm

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PHOENIX — All patients, visitors and staff at Banner Health facilities will be required to wear masks starting Thursday, the health care system announced.

The move is being made as a precaution due to a spike in flu cases, according to a Wednesday press release.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported more than 1,600 influenza cases for the week of Dec. 14, an increase of about 90% from the previous week. Of those cases, 704 were reported in Maricopa County, a spike of about 85%.

Masks will be required in all patient areas, but anyone admitted to a Banner hospital will not be required to wear one in their room.

“The flu kills tens of thousands of people each year,” Banner Health Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Marjorie Bessel said. “Our masking plan will help us protect everyone, especially high-risk groups including those 65 and older, children 2 and under, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.”

The policy will remain in effect until further notice. Masks will be available at all public entrances to Banner Health facilities for those who do not bring one.

The mask mandate comes less than a month after Banner Health implemented visitor restrictions at its hospitals and urgent care centers. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms and all children under the age of 13 are currently not allowed to visit patients in their rooms.

What is causing the spike in flu cases?

The recent surge of influenza cases is being driven by a variant of the H3N2 virus, known as subclade K, along with low vaccination rates, according to Dr. Joel Terriquez, medical director of the ADHS infectious disease and immunization bureaus.

“We have seen a significant decline in vaccination and vaccine acceptance,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday. “So, we’re down to around 12% for the state. … Those age groups that are more associated with severe illness, 65 and older, they seem to be receiving the vaccine more often, up to 26%.”

Terriquez added that this year’s flu vaccine was designed to protect against the H3N2 strain, but the mutation has made symptoms more severe for those who catch it.

Additionally, he said that it is not too late to get a flu shot, as the vaccine will not be fully effective for about two weeks after it is given.

“I think that the vaccine still has significant benefits, including preventing severe illness and hospitalization, as well as overall decreasing the community spread of influenza,” Terriquez said.

What to do if you get the flu

Symptoms of the flu include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

To stop the spread of the illness, those who develop symptoms should avoid large crowds and, if possible, stay home. Hands should also be washed or cleaned with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.