David Swartley COVID Update #32

Dec 10, 2020 | COVID Update

From: David Swartley, President/CEO 
Date: December 8, 2020 
RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #32

I am writing to give an update on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities (MMC).

Residential Living cases remain at eight total cases, all on Founders Campus. Two of the eight were hospitalized for reasons other than COVID; we expect all eight residents to recover from COVID-19.

We have nineteen COVID+ residents in our Herrnhut neighborhood. These residents are being cared for at MMC and have experienced various sickness levels from the virus. One resident was hospitalized with other health issues, tested positive at the hospital, and subsequently died. The hospital will record this as a COVID related death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they grieve the loss of a life well-lived. Our Medical Director, Dr. Howse, and our clinical team have provided outstanding care for our residents during this time. While we are not yet through the crisis, it appears that the treatment protocols being administered are beneficial.

Lancaster County’s positivity rate remains above ten percent. If the county is over ten percent, it triggers twice a week testing for our staff and residents. Our team’s cooperation with this requirement has been nothing less than exemplary.

One concern among at all health care facilities is the positivity rate of employees. We have had numerous employees test positive over the past several weeks. Any positive test or direct exposure to someone testing positive requires employees to self-quarantine for up to fourteen days (symptom-free) before returning to work. These quarantines create additional strain on the remaining staff who need to fill the open shifts.

Our hospitals are full of COVID + patients. As of this morning, Wellspan Ephrata had forty-four COVID + patients, and Lancaster General’s COVID census was one-hundred and five.

In the weekend LNP, there was a compelling article written by a nurse at LGH. Hearing about the daily battle highlights the importance of us taking common-sense measures. Social distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

The good news is that the vaccine is on its way. Current information would suggest that our older, frail residents will be the first to receive the vaccine. The vaccine news is very encouraging!

Thank you all for your concern for your neighbor and your support of our team. I have been watching the resident gifts come in for our team members in the last couple of weeks. At the time of this writing, we are sixty-one percent higher than last year. What an incredible response. What a testimony to the appreciation of our staff.

Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the latest recommendations from the CDC and the PA Department of Health. Moravian Manor Communities continues to follow all infection control protocols stipulated by the PA Dept. of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with the Coronavirus.

For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:

You can also email specific questions to: