UPMC Chautauqua is pictured in Jamestown. P-J file photo

Chautauqua County’s two largest hospitals are keeping face mask policies in place — at least for now.

UPMC said its masking mandate is continuing at facilities where there may be patient contact, including hospitals and physician offices.

“UPMC bases this on national and state guidance as well as expert knowledge on the current presence of COVID,” a spokeswoman for the organization said this week.

Meanwhile, Brooks-TLC in Dunkirk told The Post-Journal/OBSERVER newspapers it is currently reviewing its masking policy; however, the policy is expected to be lifted in the near future.

Health systems began lifting mask mandates shortly after President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution ending the COVID-19 national emergency.

Though masks are still mandated at all of UPMC’s hospitals — including UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown — the Pittsburgh-based health system has modified its COVID-related policies in the past few weeks.

“And we expect to continue to modify in the future,” the UPMC spokeswoman said. “This depends on community transmission levels and current risk to the UPMC patient population. Our recent masking guidelines were adjusted from masking everywhere to relaxing mandates in administrative areas where employees do not interact with patients.”

In Chautauqua County, the COVID-19 Community Transmission level was last reported to be “substantial” by the CDC. Community Transmission — the amount of COVID-19 spread within each county — was also substantial in Cattaraugus, Erie and Wyoming counties.

The CDC COVID-19 Community Level — used to determine the impact of COVID-19 on communities — was last reported to be low in Chautauqua County.

On April 20, Allegheny Health Network and Catholic Health announced it was lifting mask mandates at its hospitals. Allegheny Health said the easing of face coverings included its “outpatient clinics and all other patient-facing facilities.”

Westfield Memorial Hospital is part of the Allegheny Health Network.

Masking is now optional at Allegheny Health locations for patients, visitors and staff members; masks will continue to be available at its hospitals and outpatient clinics for those who choose to wear one.

“Throughout this pandemic, AHN has made every effort to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our region while also keeping our patients, visitors and staff members as safe as possible,” said Dr. Brian Parker, Allegheny Health chief quality and learning officer. “Now that we have reached more manageable levels of COVID-19 cases, and with the impending expiration of the Public Health Emergency, we are pleased to be able to lift the mask mandate at our facilities as a next step toward a return to normal operations.”

Catholic Health’s rollback of its mask mandate is only for hospitals in Erie County: Mercy Hospital of Buffalo; Sisters of Charity Hospital — Main Street and St. Joseph Campuses; and Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

As noted by the Associated Press, the national emergency allowed the government to take sweeping steps to respond to the virus and support the country’s economic, health and welfare systems. Some of the emergency measures have already been successfully wound-down, while others are still being phased out.

Meanwhile, a separate public health emergency is set to expire on May 11.