Dear Family and Friends
We are monitoring our county positivity rates in the hopes that we can invite you back into the facility to visit your loved one. Many counties have made progress and that is encouraging.
Current visitation protocols will remain in place for now. We are following guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
We encourage our residents, staff and families of our community to become vaccinated against COVID-19.
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. The vaccine includes a series of two injections, scheduled 21 to 28 days apart. Today is our fourth COVID 19 vaccine clinic day so majority of our group will have had their second shot. We have some staff members who elected to take the vaccine and are receiving their first shot today. Our last clinic date is March 5, 2020. 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!
The public can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from:
- The CDC offers information for the public about what to expect at your vaccination appointment.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a vaccine page for families to reference. This will help with understanding about vaccination eligibility and locations.
These links and other vaccine information are presented on our website’s COVID-19 page as well as updates, videos, links and frequently asked questions.
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 18, 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.
Testing News:
We had staff testing on Monday, February 1, 2021. All results have returned negative. We had our second round of staff testing this week on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Results are pending and should be in over the weekend.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through February 12, 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
49 – 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.
Visitation
Good news! The county positivity rate has gone under 10% so it is back in yellow. Staff testing will return to once a week Monday starting February 15, 2021. Provided all of our staff testing from our second testing this week on Thursday, February 11, 2021, comes back negative when results are reported over this weekend we should be able to open back up for visits for residents on our green zones. Patio visits are what are preferred in accordance with guidance, however the weather is not conducive to this type of visit, so we start scheduling them to occur in a designated area of our first floor. We are going to be optimistic and to schedule visits this week starting. It has been a while since we were able to open up for visits. We are planning to start on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, for 5th floor. Third floor visits will be scheduled on Friday, February 19, 2021, this week to accommodate our planned reopening. The attached guide provides information on visits in general and how to schedule in person patio/ indoor inclement weather visits as we open back up.
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
