Dear Friends and families,
We thank you for your continued support through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our main goal remains to provide high-quality care and to keep your loved ones safe.
Our guidance from state and federal governing bodies continues to change rapidly. We are continuing to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Health guidelines with regard to infection control policies and procedures for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19.
We continue to have no active COVID-19 positive results in our resident group. Unfortunately, routine weekly screening of our staff group had one positive result. This staff member does not have a direct care position and is out of the building for the quarantine period. Guidance we received from the DOH epidemiologist is that it is best to go back to our beginning level status and conduct two weekly rounds of testing for our residents due to the high community transmission and the frailty of our residents.
Today, we started the first round of testing for all of our residents who have not previously been positive in the last 90 days.
In accordance with regulatory guidance, we check the county positivity rate twice a month for staff testing requirements. This week, the county level is yellow, therefore our staff will continue to be tested weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays.
In order to minimize the flow of traffic through the building, we are not able to bring residents down for window visits, we will not have beautician services, communal dining and activity groups, rehab therapy will be conducted resident units. Outside appointments will be limited to urgent medical issues. Compassionate Care/End of Life visits will continue in accordance with guidelines and our policy. In person patio and window visits are on hold during this two week testing period. FaceTime or Skype visits can be scheduled for residents in all zones. Sherri Collins, Life Enrichment Director, will make appointments for video chats. Sherri can be reached at 570-344-6177 ext. 1113 or scollins@jhep.org.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through December 3, 2020)
0 – Residents currently in our building with a confirmed active case of COVID 19
56 – CONFIRMED: Residents with laboratory positive COVID-19
0 – SUSPECTED: Residents with new suspected COVID-19
35 – Confirmed Staff Total: with a positive COVID -19
- Please note that test results are reported on our daily call in line at 570-207-6711.
Family members and all others impacted by the virus will be contacted directly and provided with results/updates.
I want to personally thank our residents, families and staff team as we continue to vigilantly work to keep the spread of this virus low in our JH community. We have all been suffering through this pandemic together. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, socially distant and stay out of large groups.
Stay Safe.
Sincerely,
Mary Rose Applegate, MBA, RD, NHA
Administrator
