Wearing face masks regardless of symptoms is crucial for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals

To the Editor—As of April 16, 2020, the number of confirmed cases of pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached 1,991,512, with 130,885 associated deaths.1 Although the numbers of confirmed cases and deaths continue to increase steeply through person-to-person transmission, asymptomatic or presymptomatic COVID-19 infections mean that mitigating community spread by isolating patients has limitations.2,3 Preventing outbreaks in healthcare centers is crucial because the demand for healthcare services is high, and mixing infected persons with those who are immunocompromised and/or elderly is almost unavoidable in these settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States and the Korean Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (KCDC) have provided guidelines for infection control measures at healthcare facilities.4,5 In addition to the use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers (HCWs), ensuring that all visiting patients and guardians wear face masks and adhere to strict hand hygiene protocols is crucial. Interim US guidance for risk assessment and public health management of healthcare personnel with potential exposure in a healthcare setting to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).