Dear Residents, Families and Employees:

On June 8 the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Testing at Skilled Nursing Facilities.  I am guessing you know what comes next.  The Order mandates that all nursing facilities test all nursing home residents and staff for COVID-19.  The testing must be completed by July 24.  Our strategy will be to test employees first and residents following the completion of employee testing.  The Department of Human Services, who licenses personal care, has not issued an order at this time but we anticipate it will follow the same course and come in the next day or so.  Traditionally they operate approximately 3-5 days behind DOH and mandate the same actions.

At this time, we continue to have no COVID-19 positive residents being treated, or new cases that tested positive since May 20.  We have had two new employee cases that have tested positive, and they are home recuperating.  We continue to be vigilant and thoughtful about the precautionary process.  On June 10 we introduced a new screening tool that asks questions focused on symptoms.  For our visitors, during your absence we update our visitor registry system.  The new system, Accushield, has these screening questions built into the system.  Upon arrival you will answer the questions electronically, and the system will be set-up to take a thermal scan of your temperature.  Accushield will alert us to any elevated temperatures immediately.  The new visitor badges will also display your photo.  I assure you they are not “glam” photos!

In the health center we have moved some of our residents who are in greater need of assistance with meals into the dining rooms, one resident at each table and ensuring social distancing.  Activities has been busy decorating the health centers and throughout the community.  As we have our small group activity programs these little touches are already being recognized as welcomed bright spots. 

As a reminder everyone in the community must wear a face mask; residents must wear a face mask or some face covering that will cover the nose and mouth area, at all times in public, and practice social distancing of six feet (6’) distance from each other. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or concerns.