COVID UPDATE: Edition #27 (2/24/2021)
* By: Kirk Hawthorne
As we approach the 1 year anniversary of our “initial COVID lockdown” here at Saint John XXIII Home, we recognize that so much has changed over the past year. Yet here we are with heavy hearts, and at long last, HOPE.
Mercer County “COVID positivity rate” has dropped below 10%. As a facility, we have gone through 6 consecutive cycles of testing all staff without any new COVID cases. We have been able to vaccinate all residents and staff, who desired to be vaccinated. We continue to work through plans to vaccinate any new residents and/or staff members. As you can imagine, this is a tedious adventure, as we are not able/permitted to vaccinate on our own. Yes, we are COVID free at this time. So, while there is HOPE, we must ALL continue to practice safe standards of wearing a mask, physical distance and frequent handwashing. Please keep in mind that while the vast majority of residents and staff have been vaccinated, this does not give us the green light to simply re-open. This re-opening will be a step by step process, much of which will mirror what happens in the general community.
We will begin the transition to “Step 2 of re-opening” on March 1st, 2021.
On March 1st, 2021, we will once again test ALL staff. Providing these results bring no new positive cases, we will proceed with reopening. The “Beauty Shop” will resume services starting on March 2nd. Resident visitation will start on March 3rd, in Roncalli Center. The initial visitation schedule will be Wednesdays and Fridays, from 12:45pm to 4:45pm. You may begin scheduling visits immediately by calling the facility at 724-981-3200, between the hours of 9am-9pm.
Please remember that we will continue to require mask use at all times. Visits will be 30 minutes in duration and limited to 2 people per visit. Each visitor will be required to complete a “COVID screening questionnaire” and have their temperature taken, with each visit. We are able to accommodate 25 visits per day, however, we anticipate a high demand, so, we ask that you only schedule 1 visit per week.
As required, we will continue to test all staff on a weekly basis (Mondays). As per the direction from the Department of Health, should we have a new positive case amongst staff or residents, we will be required to return to “lockdown status” immediately. With this in mind, we ask that everyone make good decisions related to their visit. Please use caution, if you do not feel well or have potentially been exposed, please do not come in for a visit. We are excited that our residents will finally get to see their loved ones again. Thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation, understanding, support and prayers!