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:
- Pennsylvania Department of Health: www.health.pa.gov
- Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
You can also email specific questions to:
- Dr. Lynn Swisher, NHA, Vice President of Health Services, lynns@moravianmanor.org
- Donna Gerofsky, RN, ICP, donnag@moravianmanor.org