Viruses Are Spreading In Illinois: Is There A Mask Mandate?

Many hospitals are requiring masks as illnesses amp up around the state of Illinois.

According to multiple Illinois health systems, they've started implementing mask mandates throughout their facilities as respiratory infections, flu, RSV, and norovirus continue to spread across the state as winter settles in.

Medical centers have seen increased levels of respiratory infections, norovirus, Covid-19, and other flu and RSV-related illnesses lately.

If you're feeling very under the weather; coughing, sneezing, have a fever, sore throat, body aches and chills, vomiting, or diarrhea, and not totally sure what kind of illness you have, please mask up, wash your hands, wash and dry your clothes on high heat as often as you can to kill any lingering viruses, and stay home, if possible.

Read More: Norovirus In Illinois: How To Prevent Spread Of Virus In 2025 

In Illinois, there has been a high number of flu and whooping cough cases as seasonal illnesses are in full swing.

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“The New Year has arrived, and Illinois is experiencing the expected winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement.  “It is now more important than ever to use the many tools at our disposal to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe." [nbcchicago]

With hospitals slowly requiring masks before entry, does that mean a statewide mask mandate is in our near future?

Viruses Are Spreading In Illinois: Is There A Mask Mandate?

Fortunately, there is no mask mandate statewide. 

It's just highly recommended to wear a mask to mitigate the spread of any illnesses we get.  As much as masks might be an inconvenience, they are effective during times like these.

To keep the mandate away, let's make a conscious effort to keep ourselves healthy; practice good hygiene, extra hand washing, social distancing, and seriously, cover your mouth when you cough.  Please!