From: David Swartley, President/CEO

Date: March 12, 2021

RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #40

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.

Lancaster County’s “positivity rate” has decreased over the past month; however, this week, it plateaued at 6.1%. We anticipate that CMS data released on Monday, March 15, will enable us to reduce our mandated testing to one time per week.

Currently, we have two residents (Warwick Woodlands) who are COVID positive and no staff that have tested positive.

All of our residents who desire to be vaccinated have received at least one shot. MMC will hold the second clinic for Warwick Woodland residents on Friday, March 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Words cannot express my relief that our residents are all at least partially vaccinated. The data from the vaccine results continues to be astounding. Very few folks get sick after receiving the vaccine. A successful vaccine program, along with our lovely spring weather, is a reason for hope!

Another positive development this week is the update from CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services). They have opened up all care areas for visitation with few restrictions. Moravian Manor Communities plans to open up on Saturday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for visitation in our skilled, assisted living, and personal care areas.

This announcement came late in the week has created a flurry of activity for our team. Being in lockdown most of the year, we desire to be as safe as possible with the reopening. I have attached some guidelines that our team developed late this afternoon.

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

Guidelines for Reopening

Please reference the Core Principles below as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s expectations and best practices. Our licensing agencies mandate us to follow these Core Principles.

Best Practices & Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention

  • We will screen all visitors for symptoms of COVID-19. MMC will deny entry to anyone with signs or symptoms or those who have had close contact with someone with a COVID-19 infection in the last 14 days.
  • Hand hygiene
  • Face covering or mask
  • Social distancing at least six feet between persons
  • Cleaning and disinfecting high-frequency touched surfaces in the facility often, and designated visitation areas after each visit
  • Appropriate staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Effective cohorting of residents (e.g., separate areas dedicated to COVID-19 care)

Guidelines for Visitation

The hours of visitation will be Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 7:30 pm & Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

  • All visitors must enter through the main entrance. Visitors will be screened and provided a visitation sticker.
  • Visits must occur in the resident room or outside, weather permitting. Visitors may not walk around the hallways or congregate in common areas.
  • We strongly encourage no more than two visitors at a time.
  • We strongly encourage a 2-hour time limit on visits.
  • We strongly encourage no visits during meal times.
  • Residents may not leave the campus.
  • Visitors may not have snacks, food, or drinks during visits.
  • All visitors must wear a surgical mask covering the nose and mouth. Moravian Manor Communities will provide these masks for you.
  • Eye protection is optional.
  • We strongly encourage visitors to keep the room door open. We will be monitoring compliance with the Core Principles for visitation. Per CDC guidance, ” Visitors who are unable to adhere to the Core Principles of COVID 19 infection prevention should not be permitted to visit or should be asked to leave.”
  • When a new case of COVID-19 among residents or staff is identified, a facility should immediately begin outbreak testing and suspend all visitation (except that required under federal disability rights law) until at least one round of facility-wide testing is completed.
  • Families may now bring in items when they visit. There is no need to drop off items in the vestibule.