COVID-19 Safety Guidance and Care at Johns Hopkins Medicine

Masking Strongly Recommended but Not Required

(Updated Sept. 5, 2024)

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in Maryland, so masking remains strongly recommended when you visit Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. To protect your loved one, please do not visit if you are sick or have a COVID-19 positive test result.

Departments or areas caring for vulnerable populations, such as oncology, may choose to continue their masking requirement.

In Johns Hopkins Medicine locations outside of Maryland, masking is strongly recommended but not required.

We will continue to monitor respiratory infection rates and may reimplement the masking requirement if infection rates rise.

Additional resources: How to Properly Wear a Face Mask | Face Mask FAQs 

Isolation Requirements for COVID-19

The updated CDC isolation guidelines do not apply to health-care settings. For Johns Hopkins Medicine patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and need to be seen in-person for an appointment, please:

  • Wait 10 days (20 days if immunocompromised) or more after symptoms have started.

Or:

  • Wait 10 days (20 days if immunocompromised) or more after the date of the first positive COVID-19 test to be seen in-person. 

Select clinics have special air handling that allows COVID-19 positive patients to be seen prior to the end of the isolation period. Patients requiring care while still within the COVID-19 isolation timeframe should consult with their provider to discuss options.

Testing

Asymptomatic patients are no longer tested for COVID-19 prior to hospital admission or medical procedures.

Healthcare providers may still order COVID-19 tests if they feel it is clinically indicated and in the best interests of their patients.

Indications for COVID-19 testing include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new or worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, new or worsening fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of taste or smell, or exacerbation of an underlying illness such as COPD or congestive heart failure.

Vaccinations

Read about the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-2024 fall/winter season.