Dear Residents, Families and Employees:
We continue to remain COVID-19 free. The positivity rate in Philadelphia has remained at 2% for the past couple of weeks, and that is up from the 1.3% that was experienced in mid-June. I cannot continue to reiterate the importance of being fully vaccinated and wearing a face mask in all public areas of WEL Pennypack Park. Face masks are not optional and must cover the mouth and nose unless dining.
As shared with you in my July 15 memo, WEL has mandated employee COVID vaccinations for all current employees, and all new hires. We are taking a leadership role with this decision, alongside Penn and Trinity Health. WEL values each and every one of our residents, their families, and our employees. If you read our CEO, Jeff Petty’s interview in the July 20 Inquirer, he speaks about our conversation for months around mandating the vaccine. This was not a decision that we made lightly. Following is a link to the interview: Six senior living facilities in Philly area join health care centers requiring staffers to get vaccinated (inquirer.com)
Please do your part, get vaccinated if you have not done so already. Walk-in vaccinations are available at various pharmacies such as Walgreen’s, Rite-Aid and CVS. Our pharmacy partner, Friendship Pharmacy, is also offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at the email address slachman@wel.org or by phone.
Stay well,
Suzanne H. Lachman, LNHA
Executive Director
267.348.3340