We wish all a great holiday season. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.
During this holiday season and beyond, we encourage all to continue to follow safety tips regarding COVID-19. The CDC’s main advice is for eligible Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine before gathering and traveling for the holidays.
The tools we use to fight this strain remain the same. Tips for staying safe over the holidays include reinforcing masking, hand-washing, physical distancing and getting vaccinated (including boosters). Note the CDC Holiday Tips: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html
The CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing. We are monitoring the variant and will keep you updated.
Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.
- COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.
- Scientists are investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization, and death.
- CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated.
- CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older should get a boostershot at least two months after their initial J&J/Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
Masks offer protection against all variants.
- CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.
- CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html
As of December 24, 2021, our vaccination rate for our active residents is 97% and staff is 100%, for a total of 98.9% of our facility fully vaccinated.
We follow guidance from the CDC, Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS as well as the latest COVID-19 infection control guidance with relation to its impact on our residents and visitors.
For information about vaccination rates at nursing homes, please refer to CMS’s Care Compare site through Medicare.gov. Learn about vaccines near you and the CDC’s fact sheet.
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.
In order to maintain physical distancing, we ask that large family groups visiting break up into smaller units to maintain the 6-foot distance. If we determine, during peak visitation times, that the facility cannot accommodate additional visitors due to physical distancing, we may ask you to wait until current visitors have departed to ensure can ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of your loved one, other residents and staff. The maximum number of visitors in a resident’s room is 2 at a time and 4 on our designated areas on first floor to maintain physical distancing.
Our Visitation Guidelines are located in the COVID information page on our website.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through December 23, 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
