Dear Family and Friends
Progress! We are very encouraged by the recent drop in county COVID-19 positivity rates and look forward to reopening and inviting you back into our facility to visit your loved one very soon. You will be contacted when this becomes available.
We are following guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in this matter.
Testing – Residents on 3rd and 4th floors were tested this week and all came back negative. This group will be tested for a second time next week.
Our staff group continues to test weekly. Test results are still pending from the February 15 test date due to national weather impacting transportation to the laboratory. Our laboratory should have the results back by weekend. Next round of staff testing is scheduled for Monday February 22, 2021.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through February 19, 2021)
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
51 – 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.
COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign at the Jewish Home of Eastern Pa
We are participating with the Vaccine Partnership Program. Our pharmacy partner, Walgreen’s, is providing onsite vaccination clinics for our staff and residents. Our vaccine clinic is still ongoing with our last clinic day scheduled March 5, 2021.
- 83% of our staff have elected to receive the vaccine. As of today 66% of the staff have finished both shots and remainder of those signed up have had the first shot.
- 94% of our residents have elected to receive the vaccine, as of today 92% have received both shots and remainder of those signed up have had the first shot. We are very pleased to report a total combined staff and resident participation in the vaccine program at 87% with 75% having completed both series as of today.
We will provide the final percentage numbers on completion of the series after our last clinic date. Thanks to all who are an essential piece in solving the much bigger puzzle of COVID-19 by getting the vaccine!
We encourage vaccination against COVID-19 for residents, staff and the community in general in completing a drive for immunity. Thank you in advance. The DOH explains family member eligibility, locations and scheduling: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx
Learn more about the vaccine on our website’s COVID-19 page as well as updates, videos, links and frequently asked questions. https://jhep.org/covid-19-updates
Even after vaccination, please continue to maintain physical distancing, use caution when attending gatherings, wear a mask and practice hand hygiene. These are CDC principles of cleanliness.
Voluntary Serology Study conducted by the PA Department of Health:
As discussed in prior letters we have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary research serology study which is beneficial to support research efforts to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The attached documents include an invitation from the PA Department of Health to participate in this study, information sheet, and consent form. We are strongly encouraging all of our staff and residents to join in this study which will provide valuable data to epidemiologists from the PA Department of Health to better understand and prepare for and control future outbreaks. This only involves a blood test which check antibody status. Educational materials on this voluntary study are attached. Please click on the link to read and then print your consent forms. A signed consent from residents who are able to provide their own or from the resident representative for those residents who are not capable to provide their own consent is required to participate in this study. We are not able to accept verbal consents for participation.
Please print a copy of the consent, sign and return to Denise Skrzysowski at dskrzysowski@jhep.org no later than February 25, 2021.
If you are not able to print a consent form or have any questions please reach out to Lee Rutkowski at lrutkowski@jhep.org or 570-344-6177 extension 1151, or me at mapplegate@jhep.org or extension 1101
Thank you again for entrusting with the care of your loved ones. If you have any questions, we are always available for you.
Sincerely,
Mary Rose Applegate, MBA, RD, NHA
Administrator
