N95 Mask Shortage
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is aware that some hospitals, EMS agencies and other providers are experiencing shortages of N95 respirators and we are strongly recommending that this type of respirator should only be utilized when necessary per policy statement 20-02 version 3.0 (see web link below).
N95s should not be used for influenza-like illness (ILI) for which there are no indications that Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be present. Typical ILI only requires the use of face masks.
Hospitals, EMS agencies and providers should coordinate N95 usage with their infection control teams to ensure that N95s are only used when appropriately indicated.