COVID UPDATE: 1/22/2021 (Edition #25)
(provided by- Kirk Hawthorne, Administrator)
The past few weeks have been filled with a great deal of heartache and pain, here at Saint John XXIII Home. We continue to battle this virus on a daily basis. The impact of the virus on the residents and staff members who have tested positive, ranges from being asymptomatic to death, with most cases being somewhere in between. Perhaps the greatest challenge is the speed at which symptoms change. Our staff, has been amazing, providing compassion and love throughout this entire process. We also greatly appreciate the outpouring of love, encouragement and support.
At this time, our Special Needs unit and the Personal Care unit are COVID free (Green Zones). Our nursing home currently has 48 positive cases. Those individuals who have tested positive within the nursing home, all remain in isolation (Red Zone). We continue to monitor all residents closely for signs and symptoms of COVID. Should a sign or symptom be identified, we will conduct Point of Care testing (Antigen testing) immediately. Our weekly surveillance testing of residents (non-positive) continues as well. We remain in daily contact with the PA-DOH/RRCHP/RCAT.
We have been working closely with the RRHCP/RCAT staff for contact tracing, infection prevention, zone formulations, protocol/process reviews, etc. In fact, the RRHCP/RCAT Rapid Response Infection Prevention team has been on=site the past two days. These folks are the experts and we’re gracious enough to come on-site to assist us.
In an effort to properly mitigate our current outbreak, with the direction of the RRHCP, we anticipate that our current Red Zone will remain in place through 1/31/21. This will allow the entire nursing home to “return” to a Green Zone on 2/1/2021. Please continue to utilize the virtual visit opportunities through our Activities Department.
The timing of this outbreak and the duration of isolation (Red Zone) will impact the delivery of the vaccine. Individuals that are currently positive with COVID and/or remain in isolation (Red Zone) are not permitted to receive the vaccine, due to the possibility of further spread. With that in mind, we have established additional vaccination clinic dates with CVS pharmacy. (Dates: 1/27, 2/5, 2/17, 2/26) Members of Saint John XXIII Home staff will be contacting you, regarding your loved ones vaccine “cycle”.
These are very difficult, trying and emotional times. We have many residents, family members and staff who are ill, struggling emotionally and need your prayers, love and support at this time. Please pray for all who have been inflicted with this virus and those who continue to work endlessly to mitigate it as well. Try to be safe