Due to high community transmission rates of respiratory viruses, CharterCARE Hospitals are moving to Respiratory Virus Guidance Status YELLOW, effective on Monday, December 22, 2025. This is consistent with other hospital systems in Rhode Island. This means Level 2 surgical masks are required for patients and visitors, and for all staff during direct patient care. Masks will be available to all patients/family/visitors on arrival to the hospital in addition to the self-serve mask stations at each entrance. Again, this move is based on rising community respiratory virus rates, an increase in hospital admissions due to respiratory infections, and patients seen in the Emergency Department with Respiratory Illness.
Thank you for your help in adhering to this important safety precaution.
A Message to Patients and Visitors
Due to high community transmission rates of respiratory viruses, CharterCARE Hospitals are moving to Respiratory Virus Guidance Status YELLOW, effective on Monday, December 22, 2025. This is consistent with other hospital systems in Rhode Island. This means Level 2 surgical masks are required for patients and visitors, and for all staff during direct patient care. Masks will be available to all patients/family/visitors on arrival to the hospital in addition to the self-serve mask stations at each entrance. Again, this move is based on rising community respiratory virus rates, an increase in hospital admissions due to respiratory infections, and patients seen in the Emergency Department with Respiratory Illness.
Thank you for your help in adhering to this important safety precaution.
Abed Hout, MD, is a Primary Care Physician with a special interest in general health and lifestyle maintenance, sports medicine, and dermatology procedures. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital in Ohio, where he served as Chief Resident. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Education
St. George's University of London, London, England
Residency
Family Medicine at Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Locations
41 Sanderson Road
Suite 206 A/B
Smithfield, RI 02917401-349-2203
