Hoping and praying that this update finds you and your family healthy.  All of us at Saint John XXIII Home want to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.  We are heartbroken that our residents will not be able to see their families during the holiday.

Everyone is aware that COVID cases are rising at an alarming rate nationally and locally.  At Saint John XXIII Home, we have been implementing measures over the past 8+ months to mitigate the spread of this virus.  The goal was to prevent any cases, however, a plan was put into place should positive cases occur.  This entire process is provided in detail on our facility webpage under the NEWS section.

The results of our staff testing conducted on 11/23/20, resulted in 1 additional positive staff case.  All other employees tested negative.  The positive staff member was a Dietary employee.  Contact tracing determined that this new case did not expose any residents throughout our campus.  This employee is at home isolating.  Due to possible exposure, we have asked 2 additional employees to quarantine at this time as an added precaution.  Please understand that we will error on the side of caution related to possible exposure.

In addition, due to the possible exposure situation within the Nursing Home, from the 11/16/20 testing, we have tested all Nursing Home residents today (11/25/20) using the Point of Care BD Veritor rapid testing device.  Testing is complete and the results revealed 1 positive case within the Nursing Home portion of the facility.  Due to HIPAA standards, we are not permitted to divulge personal/medical information regarding our residents.  We have notified all family members of the test results for their specific loved one.  The resident who tested positive has been relocated to a “Red Zone” within our Nursing Home.  A portion of our Nursing Home remains a “Yellow Zone”.  Through contact tracing, we do not believe additional resident and/or staff exposure has occurred.  Our staff has been utilizing the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as per COVID standards.  We ask that you continue to pray for everyone here at Saint John, especially for our resident/staff members that tested positive.

We will be testing all staff members again on 11/30/20.  While there has been no evidence of any resident exposure within our Personal Care and Special Needs units, as a measure of precaution, we will be testing all residents within the Personal Care, Special Needs and Nursing Home units on 12/2/2020.  At this time, our residents are NOT displaying signs or symptoms of COVID-19.  Should a resident display symptoms, they would be tested immediately for COVID-19.

The cases of COVID or possible exposure, within our team have been minimal and mitigation efforts are extensive.  Staff members who are exposed are required to stay home and quarantine.  This, of course, places stressors on each department within our facility.  Please rest assured that our staff has been nothing short of amazing through this process, working long hours, extra shifts and being Hero’s for the best interest of your loved ones.  You have our word that we will do our best to protect everyone.  Please monitor our website at Saintjohnxxiiihome.org for updates.  Please continue to minimize coming to the facility, wear masks, physical distance and wash your hands.  With that in mind, please pray for everyone at Saint John XXIII Home.

Sincerely,

Kirk Hawthorne- Administrator

iGiveCatholic is a new reality in the Catholic Church that tries to foster online giving on the traditional #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is the Tuesday that follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and cyber Monday. #iGiveCatholic is a Giving Day that kicks off the charitable season and brings the catholic community together to give thanks and give back. It is the U.S. Catholic church’s Giving day created to celebrate our unique Catholic heritage, “iGiveCatholic inspires faithful stewards to “Give Catholic” on #GivingTuesday, a global day of generosity.

The goal of #iGiveCatholic is to rally our Catholic community in support of our local parishes, schools, and ministries. Secure, tax-deductible donations to eligible Catholic organizations located in participating Dioceses are given at www.iGiveCatholic.org during a 24-hour period on #Giving Tuesday, December 1, and at any time during the Advanced Giving Day phase beginning at 12:00 AM on Monday, November 16 through 11:59 PM on Monday, November 30, 2020. Offline gifts of cash and checks are encouraged and given directly to the organization of the donor’s choice during this period.

I’m hopeful that this update finds you and your family healthy, well and COVID free.

As you are likely aware, the COVID-19 virus continues to surge across the nation and specifically here within Mercer County PA.  The Mercer County “positivity rate” has risen above 9% according to the most recent Center for Medicare Services (CMS) data.  Our community is dealing with an outbreak and the surge on hospitals, nursing homes and testing sites is at an alarming rate.  It is redundant but please wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance and stay home if possible.  We ask that you minimize coming to Saint John XXIII Home unless the visit is imperative.

We have received the results of our required weekly testing of staff, which was conducted on 11/16/20.  We had 5 new positive tests amongst staff members from the 11/16/20 testing cycle.  We have completed “contact tracing” for all 5 staff members.  The 5 positive staff members are at home in isolation.  In addition, we identified 2 staff members who were identified as “possible exposures”, these individuals are at home in quarantine.  In an attempt to mitigate the spread, we determined that 46 residents within the Nursing Home portion of the facility had sufficient contact with our positive staff members to enter a quarantine (yellow zone) situation.  Those nursing home residents deemed “unexposed”, remains in normal precautions or “Green Zone”.  We have also tested ALL residents within the nursing home and had zero positive cases identified.  While this is fantastic news, we need to understand that this “immediate testing upon exposure” was completed within the first couple days of possible exposure.  Again, we should all be elated that our residents all tested negative, yet, realize the risks remains.  Please continue to pray for everyone.

Contact tracing revealed that those individuals residing within the Personal Care and Special Needs unit were UNEXPOSED as a result of these positive tests.  Due to non-exposure, Personal Care and Special Needs residents were not tested at this time.  We continue to monitor all residents and staff throughout the entire facility each shift.

At this time, we have reverted to “phase 1” of reopening, which means we have returned to “lock down” status.  The Roncalli Center visitation, Mass, group programming, barber/beauty services, etc. have been placed on hold until further notice.  All staff will be tested again on 11/23 and 11/30.  The nursing home residents will all be tested again on 11/25 and 12/2.  If we are fortunate enough to have no additional positive test results for all testing done on the above dates, it is possible to return to Phase 2 of re-opening, which includes scheduled visitation and barber/beauty services.  Please keep in mind that should Mercer County rise to the 10%+ “positivity rate”, all Mercer County facilities will be required to return to Phase 1 (Lock Down).

With Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approaching, we understand that this inability to visit with your loved one is more difficult to accept than at any time over the past 8 months.  We encourage everyone to feel free to call and utilize the virtual visits.  These are difficult times, pandemic times, but please know that our entire staff is committed to the safety of your loved one.  Thank you so much for your cooperation, encouragement, trust and prayers during these challenging times.  We will get through this together.

To:  Residents, Family Members and Staff

From:  Kirk Hawthorne, Administrator

Date:  11/18/2020

I hope this update finds you healthy and well.

We have experienced a positive COVID test amongst 2 staff members as a result of our testing on Monday (11/16/20).  As part of our contact tracing process, we will be testing all NURSING HOME residents today (11/18/20) to rule out any possible exposure.  These tests will be conducted here at the facility with the Point of Care rapid testing device.  We will reach out to you with the results of your loved ones COVID test.  At this time, the contact tracing determined that residents within the Personal Care and Special Needs units have not been exposed.

Through the contact tracing process, we have implemented the required safety measures.  COVID positive staff and staff meeting the exposed criteria will remain off work to quarantine.  We have created a “yellow zone” for residents who may have been exposed.  Staff members have been educated regarding the need for PPE use.  We will continue to test staff on a weekly basis until further notice.  We will also test all NURSING HOME residents on a weekly basis for at least two additional weeks.  All residents and staff will continue to be monitored closely each shift.  Residents exhibiting signs/symptoms of COVID will be tested immediately.

Unfortunately, with this positive staff case and possible resident exposure, we will return to a “lock down” status effective immediately.  Our family visitations, barber/beauty, group programs, Mass, etc., will be placed on hold until further notice.  I ask that you continue to pray for everyone at Saint John XXIII Home.   Please monitor the facility website for further updates.

Hoping this update finds you healthy and well.  As you are likely aware, COVID numbers continue to increase in Mercer County and the impact is being felt within the healthcare facilities in our area.  The results of our weekly STAFF testing (11/9 and 11/10/20 testing), revealed that 129 of 130 staff members were NEGATIVE for COVID-19.  The new positive staff case has been reported to the required State/Federal agencies.  With the assistance of the PA Department of Health AND the Regional Response Health Collaboration Program (RRHCP), contact tracing has been completed.  Based on this employee’s role, responsibilities and actions, at Saint John XXIII Home, it has been determined that this is a “non-exposure” situation related to residents and staff members.  Due to HIPAA restrictions, we are unable to divulge the employee’s name.  The employee is asymptomatic and isolating at home.  We continue to diligently monitor staff and residents for signs and symptoms, each shift daily.  We remain in weekly testing protocols, thus, another round of staff testing will be completed on 11/16/2020, at which time an update will be provided.

As the COVID numbers increase in Mercer County, we ask that you use extra pre-cautions, social distance, wear masks and wash your hands frequently.  Please use good judgement related to entering Saint John XXIII Home.  If you are not feeling well, please help us protect your loved one and stay home.  We ask that you continue to pray for our residents and staff.

• Kirk Hawthorne, Administrator/CEO, Saint John XXIII Home

Today marks the eight (8) month “anniversary” since Saint John XXIII Home entered “COVID Precautions”.   Thank you for your continued support, understanding, cooperation and prayer.

According to the Center for Medicare Service (CMS) data, Mercer County Pennsylvania has risen above the 5% “Covid Positivity rate” threshold as of the November 2^nd, 2020 data posting.  The counties “positivity rate” triggers weekly surveillance testing of staff, here at Saint John XXIII Home until further notice.  This week, we will be testing on 11/9 and 11/10/20.  Testing results are typically received within 48 hours, at which time an update will be provided. 

Please keep in mind that surveillance testing of residents will only occur if a positive staff case is identified.  Residents continue to be monitored for signs/symptoms of COVID on each shift.  Any resident displaying signs, symptoms or possible exposure would be tested immediately.

Over the past 8 months, we have been able to mitigate the effects of this virus within the walls of Saint John XXIII Home.  As the county numbers continue to rise, the risk of exposure increases significantly.  We continue to be diligent related to mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing and we ask that you continue to do the same for the well-being of those we so passionately serve. 

Please participate in the #iGiveCatholic giving day on December 1st to support Saint John XXIII Home. Visit https://erie.igivecatholic.org/, search for Saint John XXIII Home and make a $25.00 or more gift.

The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is coordinating our participation in #iGiveCatholic and will be offering cash prizes! Help us win a prize! Prizes are listed here: https://erie.igivecatholic.org/.

From the hearts of our Residents, Family Members, Board of Directors, Auxiliary Members and the entire staff of Saint John XXIII Home we love you and thank you for your generous offering.