Ballad Health Requires Employees to Wear Masks Amid Illness Surge

New strain driving flu spread as local hospitals take action

Ballad Health is requiring staff to wear a mask and instituting new restrictions on visitors in response to a surge in flu cases.Ballad recorded more than 1,100

Ballad Health requires employees to wear masks amid illness surge

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A "sharp increase in influenza and norovirus cases" across the Tri-Cities region has led Ballad Health to put temporary safety measures in place, including a masking requirement for team members. On Tuesday, Ballad announced in a news release that the "rapid surge" in both illnesses has caused concern for the [...]

Ballad Health implements temporary masking, visitation limits amid flu, norovirus surge

JOHNSON CITY — Ballad Health is implementing temporary safety measures in response to a sharp increase in influenza and norovirus cases across the region, aiming to protect patients, team members and the broader community. Health system officials cited two primary concerns driving the changes: protecting vulnerable patients — including adults older than 65, children younger than 6 and those with chronic medical conditions — and mitigating staffi…

Seeing surging influenza and other respiratory illness, Ballad Health follows CDC guidance, takes steps to protect patients and staff

Seeing surging influenza and other respiratory illness, Ballad Health follows CDC guidance, takes steps to protect patients and staff Rachel Burrus-Cook Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:09 Ballad Health is responding to a sharp increase in influenza and norovirus cases across the region by implementing temporary safety measures to protect patients, team members and the community.The rapid surge of these illnesses raises two concerns: First, the protection o…