We had one additional staff members test positive for COVID 19 today and are continuing to follow the regulatory guidance related to testing and visitation. There was no potential resident exposure from this new staff positive. First round testing was complete for the second floor residents and staff potentially exposed last weekend and all were negative. Second round testing was completed today. Results are pending. Our second floor unit continues to be in yellow status
While the new visitation guidelines allow opening in all units including those in isolation status, we recommend that if your loved one is in quarantine or in isolation that you refrain from in-person visitation and we will assist with virtual visits. Also until recommended isolation and testing is completed for the residents in accordance with regulatory guidance, we will not be bringing residents from 2nd floor off of their unit.
Family members and all others impacted by the virus will be contacted directly and provided with results and updates.
Because many generations tend to gather for holiday celebrations, the best way to minimize COVID-19 exposure and keep your family and friends safe is to get vaccinated (if you’re eligible). By being vaccinated, you can help better protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines for safely celebrating this year’s holiday season. The CDC’s top advice is for eligible Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine before gathering and traveling for the holidays.
We are continuing to monitor the effects and spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Researchers are conducting studies to better understand Omicron and we will continue to share their findings of these studies as they become available.
Vaccinations are the main element we have to curb the spread of COVID-19 and is a matter of safety as well as compliance with the federal government’s mandated vaccines for health care workers at Medicare and Medicaid facilities.
As of December 10, 2021, our vaccination rate for our active residents is 95% and staff is 100%, for a total of 98.3% of our facility fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, we maintain that our top priority is to protect the residents, staff and families. Your cooperation and partnership in maintaining a safe environment is appreciated. CMS lifted many pandemic visitation restrictions at nursing homes. The new guidance instructs nursing homes to allow visits at all times. There will no longer be limitations of how many visitors each resident can have, how often loved ones want to visit or the duration of each visit.
Our Visitation Guidelines are located in the COVID information page on our website.
Although the visitation guidance has been updated, visitation remains “different” from visitation prior to the pandemic. The following infection control principles and best practices must be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, regardless of your vaccination status:
- Use the designated entrance to complete the screening process.
- Upon arrival, all visitors must complete the screening process. Visitors who fail the screening will not be permitted to visit.
- Visitors will not be permitted to visit if they:
- Refuse screening;
- Refuse to wear a mask;
- Currently test positive for COVID-19;
- Have COVID-19 test results pending;
- Exhibit symptoms of COVID-19;
- Were recently exposed to COVID-19;
- Currently meet the criteria for quarantine.
- Complete hand hygiene upon arrival and departure (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred)
- Wear a face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose) at all times.
- Maintain physical distancing at least 6 feet between people, in accordance with the CDC.
- Limit visitation to resident’s room or designated visitation area. If roommate is present, please maintain physical distancing or visit in another location on our first floor.
- We recommend that if your loved one is in quarantine or in isolation that you refrain from in-person visitation and we will assist with virtual visits.
- Face Time calls: To schedule Face Time calls for residents in our yellow zones please contact Samantha DePaul in Life Enrichment. Samantha can be reached at sdepaul@jhep.org or 570-344-6177 ext 1314.
- Notify staff when you are leaving so we can clean and disinfect the visitation area.
Visitors who do not adhere to the infection control requirements during visitation will be requested to leave.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through December 10, 2021)
0 – Residents currently in our building with a confirmed active case of COVID 19
57 – CONFIRMED: Residents with laboratory positive COVID-19
0 – SUSPECTED: Residents with new suspected COVID-19
58 – 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 and updates.
As always, we appreciate that you entrust us with the care of your loved ones. If you have any questions, we are always available for you. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Mary Rose Applegate, MBA, RD, NHA
Administrator
