St. Louis Rescinds Mask Mandate for City Employees Less Than 24 Hours After Announcement

Despite Rising Cases of Flu, RSV, and COVID-19, Local Hospitals Report Only Seasonal Increase in Patients

St. Louis officials announced a mask mandate for city employees citing rising COVID-19 and respiratory illness cases, only to rescind the order less than 24 hours later.
The initial letter from the city’s department of health stated that flu cases have increased by 55% this winter compared to the highest median value of the past five years, while Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases increased by 190% within a local health and hospital system compared to the highest median value of the previous 4-years.
270 people in the St. Louis region were admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 treatment during the week of Dec. 23, which was a 38% increase over data from the month prior.
Local hospitals reported they have not been overburdened by patient capacity and are only seeing a seasonal increase in patients.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who held an anti-mask mandate position during the pandemic, opposed the new mask mandates and made a call to St. Louis City Hall when he learned of the city's mandate.