From: David Swartley, President/CEO Date: January 27, 2021 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #37
I am writing to update you on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities (MMC) and update you on the vaccine administration.
MMC continues to test all employees two times per week. Our testing for the week of January 18 yielded no positive tests. We concluded our first round of testing for the week of January 25, and all tests were negative. Our team is celebrating the “negativity!” Currently, we have six employees who are self-quarantining due to symptoms or possible exposure.
We also have had no additional residents in our skilled nursing, personal care, or assisted living test positive for COVID-19.
In residential living, we have two positive confirmed tests in the Warwick Woodlands Carriage Homes. The residents impacted are quarantining in their homes.
On Monday, January 25, MMC completed its second vaccine clinic for skilled nursing residents and employees. They also had the time (and supply) to begin inoculating our assisted living and personal care residents. This round, we have had several employees display flu-like symptoms from the vaccine. Typically, these symptoms occur on the day after the vaccination and have been short-lived. We have had ninety-four employees receive their second dose, and sixty-four employees have received their first dose. The majority of our residents in our care areas have accepted the vaccine as well.
My most frequent question has been, “when are you going to have a clinic for residential living residents?” The issue has become quite confusing for seniors who are living independently. It is critical to distinguish policy and what is possible due to limited vaccine supply and staff. Below is a summary of where we are at this point.
Pennsylvania contracted with Walgreens and CVS to provide vaccines to residents of skilled nursing facilities and health care workers (first phase). Each facility is assigned a contracted pharmacy. Our assignment is with CVS.
Thanks to Dr. Swisher’s persistence, she was able to secure early vaccination dates for MMC.
Our first clinic with CVS was on January 4, 2021, followed by the second clinic on January 25, 2021.
CVS cannot open up a clinic specifically for all residential living residents as vaccine supplies in Pennsylvania are limited. MMC will attempt to use any extra vaccines for higher risk residents in residential living.
MMC’s regular pharmacy contract is with Phoebe Pharmacy. Dr. Swisher has confirmed that Phoebe Pharmacy is willing to provide a clinic for our residential living residents. However, they must secure their supply from the Federal Government. They are working aggressively on that procurement. As soon as they can secure the vaccine, we will establish clinic dates.
I am not fond of responding to important questions with an “I do not know” answer. The fact is that the scheduling and timing issues are, for the most part, out of our control. What adds to the confusion is that all states are handling the distribution in very different ways. As I observed this past week with Wellspan, it is genuinely a feeding frenzy to get the vaccine slots when a provider has a vaccine supply.
The good news is that you will receive a vaccine in the coming months. As we are very eager to return to a normal lifestyle, it makes the waiting very difficult.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the CDC’s latest recommendations regarding the vaccine and other developments. 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 new Coronavirus.
For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
MMC residents took part in a cooking demo virtually this afternoon via ZOOM with Executive Chef Derek Miller and Jennifer Shutt, Director of Community Services.
Coming live from The Owl’s Nest Restaurant & Sippery, Chef Derek prepared Chicken & Rice Skillet…recipe provided for your enjoyment!
From: David Swartley, President/CEO Date: January 13, 2021 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #36
Happy New Year!
I am writing to update you on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities and update you on the vaccine administration.
Last week, we learned that two employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Both employees are part of our dining staff; they are both self-quarantining and feeling well. One employee works in our Owl’s Nest restaurant. While positive tests are unsettling, it also highlights why proper employee use of PPE is essential.
No additional skilled, assisted living, or personal care residents have tested positive for COVID-19. To our knowledge, there are no active cases in our residential living community.
Vaccine administration is gaining pace in our state and country. As of Monday, January 11, 10,860 vaccines (first dose) have been administered in our county. 936 Lancaster County residents have already received their second dose. While the numbers are still small, two percent of our county’s population has received their first vaccination. To put this into perspective, Lancaster County reached this same infection rate (10,861 positive cases) on November 7, 2020. The vaccination program will work much, much faster than attaining herd immunity through community spread. This point gives me optimism!
We have been given three vaccination dates for our Assisted Living and Personal Care residents. They will occur on February 2, February 23, and March 16. Presently, we still have not been able to secure a commitment to vaccinate our residential living residents.
My most frequent calls have been from residential living residents asking when they will receive their vaccination. I share in your frustration, and will provide updates as we gain more information.
Our first vaccination clinic was well received with over 50 residents in skilled nursing and more than 90 employees receiving their first dose on January 4. I received my first dose; my only reaction was a slightly sore arm. I have had more annoying mosquito bites!
Our team continues to test two times per week. The two times/week testing will continue until the Lancaster County positivity rate is below ten percent. Currently, the rate is 14 percent.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the CDC’s latest recommendations regarding the vaccine and other developments. 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 new Coronavirus.
For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
Doing our part! Yesterday, CVS Health administered the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 93 team members. Approximately 50 Health Center residents participated as well. The vaccine was available to all staff and skilled nursing residents on a completely voluntary basis.
Said CEO David Swartley, “The CVS team arrived on Monday morning and were quickly in action. Our employees and residents seemed very eager to participate. All of us are eager to return to ‘normal’ as soon as we are able!”
Part 2 of the vaccine will be administered on January 25. As well, staff and Health Center residents who did not receive part 1, may still receive it that day too.
From: David Swartley, President/CEO Date: December 24, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #35
I am writing to give an update on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities.
This past week has been much quieter in our skilled area. An additional resident tested positive on our memory care neighborhood who was asymptomatic and has been discharged home. We have had no additional COVID-19 related deaths. We all realize that when COVID-19 arrives in a memory care neighborhood, one is in for a difficult journey. While any unexpected loss of life is too much, many facilities have had it run wild and have had a much higher death rate than we have experienced thus far. I want to extend my gratitude to our team for making the best of a very challenging situation. It takes every department following our protocols to have such an outcome.
It is also noteworthy that the other residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have moved through their precaution period. Moving through precautions means the residents can be out of their rooms and experience a bit of normalcy in their days. It is truly great news for both the residents and the team members in the Herrnhut neighborhood.
We also have had our tenth Residential Living positive case. This resident is in asymptomatic quarantine in a Carriage home on the Warwick Woodlands Campus.
Our team continues to test two times per week. Since our last update, three additional employees have tested positive for COVID-19. All are at home in self-quarantine.
Please continue to remember our resident family members and team members as they grieve the recent loss of life. There is seldom a good time to say goodbye. During the holidays, the goodbyes can be even more poignant.
As you enter another important holiday and time for celebration, please make sure to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and washing your hands. If you can introduce some fresh air into your home, please do that as well. We are still anticipating our first vaccines being administered next week. I am eager to receive my gift of a vaccine!
I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the CDC’s latest recommendations regarding the vaccine and other developments. 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 new Coronavirus. I believe that our recent infection control survey confirms that our team is following the best guidelines available.
For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites: Pennsylvania Department of Health: www.health.pa.gov Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
