COVID-19 Updates (Coronavirus Disease)

May 17, 2023

This will be my last bi-weekly letter. We have received updated information from CDC, CMS and DOH
so our COVID guidelines are being modified.
Please share this information with others as appropriate.

To Residents, Staff and Visitors,

REMINDERS:

  • Masks and face shields are optional
  • Masks should be worn at all times if:
  • You are experiencing respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing or runny nose) not COVID related.

If COVID is suspected, confirmed or there has been an exposure, you should not enter our campus for at least 10 days from onset of symptoms, positive test result or exposure.

Our goal is always the safety and well-being of our residents and staff. Your compliance with these guidelines is a crucial component of keeping our residents healthy.

We have had no SNF/SNFMS or PC/PCMS residents test positive for COVID-19 since my last letter and we have had one staff member test positive for COVID-19. The COVID calendar at the front entrance of the main building will be removed within the next several days. We continue to follow the government guidelines for quarantine, contact tracing and relevant/high risk exposures.

Any staff member who tests positive for COVID is quarantined for at least 6 days and may return to work on day 7 (if they have a negative antigen test result on day 5 and day 7 prior to working). If the day 5 antigen test is positive, the staff member may continue testing daily but must have two negative antigens 48 hours apart before returning to work or they can return to work after day 10. PC/PCMS and SNF/SNFMS positive residents are quarantined for at least 10 days and must have a negative antigen test before leaving the red zone. The affected unit will also be a “yellow zone” for 14 days from the date of the positive resident. In all situations the date of the positive individual is considered day 0. We ask all independent residents to follow the same guidelines as PC/PCMS and SNF/SNFMS.

Because of the size of our personal care and skilled rooms and the CDC’S CORE PRINCIPLES of COVID, we are recommending only 4 visitors at a time. All visitors, when visiting inside are encouraged to keep a mask on while visiting. The CDC core principles are wearing of masks, frequent handwashing and social distancing (at least 6ft). We encourage outside visits as weather permits. Skilled care offers visitation rooms if needed for those residents residing in a semi-private room. If a visit is going to occur in a semi-private room, please make sure the privacy curtain is closed and both residents as well as all visitors are encouraged to wear masks and following the CDC core principles. We still ask everyone to practice social distancing whenever possible, this includes waiting in a line, waiting for the elevator, or while on an elevator.

When we have an outbreak (according to CMS – this is one COVID positive resident or staff member) within a skilled or personal care area of our campus we must initiate contact tracing. Those residents and staff who are designated as having a relevant or high-level exposure are quarantined and/or tested according to government requirements. For entering into an unaffected area during a COVID outbreak, our guidelines remain the same. In areas affected by the outbreak, everyone must wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) when entering the exposed area until 10 days after the most recent positive case.

We encourage all who enter our campus, visitors, vendors, volunteers or healthcare professional (no matter where the location is on campus) to be up to date with vaccines. All non-employee individuals should be tested according to their employer/organization’s guidelines. If any individual becomes COVID–19 positive within 2 days after being on campus or becomes aware of a COVID-19 exposure that occurred within 48 hours prior to visiting, they must immediately inform SARC at the time they are made aware. SARC will need to evaluate for staff and resident testing and contact tracing.

We continue with our screening process for visitors and non-employees who enter our main building except for EMS and the Postal Service. The guideline for having your temperature checked has expired. We encourage everyone to practice the CORE Principles while in any of our buildings. We do have surgical masks, face shields and masks with attached shields available as well as KN95 masks.

For those entering one of our independent buildings, we are not requiring the screening process however we do encourage all residents and visitors/caregivers to follow the CORE Principles.

Staff may wear a mask and or shield at any time. Staff members who would like to wear a fit-tested N95 all the time, instead of a mask, please reach out to your manager for details. 

For staff, if you have any signs or symptoms, please call your manager before entering the building. We need to determine if you need to be tested outside the building and discuss further actions that may be necessary. Masks should be worn at all times if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing or runny nose) not COVID related.

New admissions do NOT need a PCR test within 72 hours of admission. New PC and SNF residents will be tested three times on admission: day 1, day 3 and day 5. New residents are also encouraged to wear a mask for 10 days.

Any SNF or PC resident leaving SARC for more than 24 hours, will be considered an “admission” and
will need to follow new admission testing guidelines. If a SNF or PC resident leaves SARC for less than
24 hours, but has a high-risk exposure while out of the building, the resident may need to follow
“admission” testing guidelines.

We received an update from the CDC and Department of Health on vaccines. The monovalent of Pfizer and Moderna are no longer being offered. To be considered up to date, an individual needs to have a dose of the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent vaccine. We have a vaccination program with Hillcrest, a local pharmacy, and Masonic Pharmacy (our pharmacy vendor) to administer the vaccine to those residents and employees who decide at any time that they would like the vaccine. Residents can reach out to social services regarding a vaccine consent form. We have education information regarding vaccinations on our website. Staff members can visit Human Resources for education material and a consent form. We also have information on our intranet as well as offering education materials at new hire orientation. We ask that staff and independent residents who receive the vaccine elsewhere, to please bring proof of vaccination for human resources or social services to place in their file.

Individuals eating in the Café, Bistro or Breakroom are encouraged to follow the CDC core principles. We have plexi-glass dividers available, for anyone who would like to use one.

All activities including beauty shop/barber services, church services, events and dining programs are returning to a “normal” schedule. These programs are subject to change based on a unit having a positive or exposed resident and/or staff. We limit large group activities and recommend everyone to limit large group gatherings in their everyday life/activities.

This week will be the last SARC COVID-19 telephone announcement. That number is 717-285-0946. This number is an announcement type message meaning you can listen but there is NO option to leave a message.

The CDC has not yet created a new tracking system. We will monitor CDC, CMS and DOH websites for updates.

Updates will be maintained through our one call system, letters and website as needed. Should you have any questions, please contact us at 717-285-5443 and the receptionist can direct you to the appropriate personnel.

Thank you,

Mary Turnbaugh, President
St. Anne’s Retirement Community

April 5, 2023

REMINDERS

 Our COVID requirements from the government have not changed at this point although we are expecting to see changes in the next several weeks. For the  safety of our residents, we encourage all entering our campus:

  • Wear a surgical mask
  • Face shields are optional
  • NOT to enter our campus when not feeling well or
  • Have COVID or have COVID in the last 10 days or
  • Have been potentially exposed to a COVID positive individual in the last 10  days.

 Our goal is always the safety and well-being of our residents and staff. Your compliance with these guidelines is a crucial component of keeping our residents healthy.  

 When entering the main building, everyone must wear a surgical mask when in any common area (* please note staff have separate guideline – see below). The surgical mask must be worn correctly. It must cover the nose and mouth. Face shields are optional. Everyone must follow our screening process.

Employees, non-employee individuals such as vendors, volunteers and healthcare professionals when anywhere in any of our buildings (Common areas, Personal Care (PC and PCMS), Skilled (SNF and SNFMS) areas, all apartments and all cottages) must wear a surgical mask and are encouraged to wear face shields.

For an individual to be considered up to date by CDC guidelines – the individual must have the monovalent series as well as the bivalent booster. There is information on our website and intranet from the CDC regarding their new guidance on up to date requirements. 

We have had no SNF/SNFMS or PC/PCMS residents test positive for COVID-19 since my last letter and we have had one staff member test positive for COVID-19. We continue to follow the government guidelines for quarantine, contact tracing and relevant/high risk exposures.

Any staff member who tests positive for COVID is quarantined for at least 6 days and may return to work on day 7 (if they have a negative antigen test result on day 5 and day 7). If the day 5 antigen test is positive, the staff member may return to work on day 10 or after two negative antigen tests 48 hours apart. PC/PCMS and SNF/SNFMS positive residents are quarantined for at least 10 days and must have a negative antigen test before leaving the red zone. The affected unit will also be a “yellow zone” for 14 days from the date of the positive resident. In all situations the date of the positive individual is considered day 0. We ask all independent residents to follow the same guidelines as PC/PCMS and SNF/SNFMS.

We have a calendar on the bulletin board in the main building front lobby that tracks positive cases for staff and residents. It is updated throughout the month as cases are added. We also have updated positive case notices under the “About Us” heading on the website – please click on “health news update”.

Although we are open 24 hours each day, our regular visiting hours are Monday through Sunday from 8:00am-8:00pm. Our main doors are locked at 8:00pm. If a visitor wants to enter SARC after hours, please call the main number (717-285-5443) and the supervisor will open the doors.

Because of the size of our personal care and skilled rooms and the need to follow the CDC’S CORE PRINCIPLES of COVID, we are recommending only 4 visitors at a time. All visitors, when visiting inside are encouraged to keep a mask on while visiting. The CDC core principles are wearing of masks, frequent handwashing and social distancing (at least 6ft). We encourage outside visits as weather permits. Skilled care offers visitation rooms if needed for those residents residing in a semi-private room. If a visit is going to occur in a semi-private room, please make sure the privacy curtain is closed and both residents as well as all visitors are encouraged to wear masks and following the CDC core principles. We still ask everyone to practice social distancing whenever possible, this includes waiting in a line, waiting for the elevator, or while on an elevator.

If a PC/PCMS or SNF/SNFMS visitor removes or lowers their mask outside of our guidelines while visiting, the visit will end and the visitor will be asked to leave. Repeated violations of this policy will result in suspension of visiting privileges.

When we have an outbreak (according to CMS – this is one COVID positive resident or staff member) within a skilled or personal care area of our campus we must initiate contact tracing. Those residents and staff who are designated as having a relevant or high-level exposure are quarantined and/or tested according to government requirements. For entering into an unaffected area during a COVID outbreak, our guidelines remain the same. In areas affected by the outbreak, everyone must wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) when entering the exposed area until 10 days after the most recent positive case.

We encourage all who enter our campus, visitors, vendors, volunteers or healthcare professional (no matter where the location is on campus) to be up to date with vaccines. We also encourage all visitors to have a COVID antigen test within 24-48 hours of visiting. All non-employee individuals should be tested according to their employer/organization’s guidelines. If any individual either becomes COVID–19 positive within 10 days prior to or within 5 days after being on campus or becomes aware of a COVID-19 exposure that occurred within 48 hours prior to visiting, they must immediately inform SARC at the time they are made aware. SARC will need to evaluate for staff and resident testing and contact tracing. If an individual has COVID-19 or has an exposure, we ask that you not enter our campus for 10 days.

We continue with our screening process for those who enter our main building except for EMS and the Postal Service. We encourage everyone to practice social distancing (at least 6ft) and frequent handwashing while in any of our buildings. We require all who enter our main building to wear a surgical mask while in a common area. We do have surgical masks available for those who do not have one. We also offer face shields and masks with attached shields.

While visiting SNF/SNFMS or PC/PCMS, visitors must wear a surgical mask in common areas, but the resident may choose to not have the visitor(s) wear one while in the resident room. The resident, roommate and visitors should be up to date with vaccines. Along with the surgical mask, vendors and volunteers are encouraged to wear a face shield when in SNF/SNFMS or PC/PCMS. Please place the mask/shield in the appropriate receptacle by the main exit prior to leaving the building. For individuals entering PC/PCMS or SNF/SNFMS, we do have KN95s available at the reception desk.

For those entering one of our independent buildings, we are not requiring the screening process however we do encourage all residents and visitors/caregivers to wear a mask when in any common area. Staff, volunteers, healthcare professionals and vendors must wear a surgical mask in common areas or when in a resident’s home. Face shields are optional for everyone.

All staff must wear a surgical mask while in any of our buildings and a face shield is optional. Staff members who would like to wear a fit-tested N95 all the time, instead of a surgical mask, please reach out to your manager for details.   

For staff, if you have any signs or symptoms, please call your manager before entering the building. We need to determine if you need to be tested outside the building and discuss further actions that may be necessary.

New admissions to PC and SNF must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of admission. New residents will also be tested three times on admission: day 1, day 3 and day 5. New residents are also encouraged to wear a mask for 10 days.

Any SNF or PC resident leaving SARC for more than 24 hours, will be considered an “admission” and will need to follow new admission testing guidelines. If a SNF or PC resident leaves SARC for less than 24 hours, but has a high-risk exposure while out of the building, the resident may need to follow  “admission” testing guidelines. We encourage our independent residents to follow these same guidelines.

We have a vaccination program with Hillcrest, a local pharmacy, and Masonic Pharmacy (our pharmacy vendor) to administer the vaccine to those residents and employees who decide at any time that they would like the vaccine or a booster dose. Hillcrest and Masonic offer both the monovalent vaccine (vaccine that addresses the original COVID-19 virus strain) and bivalent vaccine (vaccine that addresses the original virus strains as well the most recent variations of the virus) doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Residents can reach out to social services regarding either vaccine/booster consent form. We have education information regarding vaccinations and boosters on our website. Staff members can visit Human Resources for education material and either consent form. We also have information on our intranet as well as offering education materials at new hire orientation. We ask that staff and independent residents who receive the vaccine or booster elsewhere, to please bring proof of vaccination for human resources or social services to place in their file. At any time, a staff member or resident can request a dose of the vaccine. Staff can request a dose through either Human Resources or their manager. Residents/POAs can request a dose through social services or a clinical manager. We will work with our pharmacy to schedule a time for the shot to be given.

If you have not received the primary vaccines of Pfizer, Moderna – you will need to start with a

primary series before receiving the bivalent vaccine and use the primary vaccine consent form.

The bivalent can be administered two months after the primary series.  

If you have received the primary series and any booster vaccines, you are eligible for the bivalent

vaccine two months after your last vaccine. Please use the bivalent consent form.

Individuals eating in the Café, Bistro or Breakroom should continue to follow the CDC core principles of frequent hand washing, social distancing and masking. We have plexi-glass dividers available, for anyone who would like to use one.

All activities including beauty shop/barber services, church services, events and dining programs continue on our modified schedules based on positive cases within the organization. We are offering in-person Mass for all levels of care on various days. These programs are subject to change based on a unit having a positive or exposed resident and/or staff. We do not offer large group activities and recommend everyone to limit large group gatherings in their everyday life/activities.

The SARC COVID-19 telephone announcement is updated at least every other Wednesday. That number is 717-285-0946. This number is an announcement type message meaning you can listen but there is NO option to leave a message.

St. Anne’s utilizes the CDC County Transmission Level. Currently through March 28 – Lancaster County is considered MODERATE/YELLOW.

As our county rate declines, we are reviewing our government guidelines to evaluate changes that can be made to our processes to lessen our constraints but still meet the requirements of the regulations. We hope to make modifications beginning in late April and early May. 

 At this time – we are still using the Core principles – SOCIAL DISTANCE, WEAR A MASK AND GOOD HAND HYGIENE.

Updates will be maintained through our one call system, letters, website and COVID phone hotline. Should you have any questions, please contact us at 717-285-5443 and the receptionist can direct you to the appropriate personnel.

Thank you,
Mary Turnbaugh, President
St. Anne’s Retirement Community

External Resources on Coronavirus Disease: