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.