BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Trends over the past two years show the COVID-19 case count climbs over the holiday season. So the Pennsylvania Health Care Association is reminding people to be aware of their health before visiting loved ones in long-term care facilities.
Community spread in both Lehigh and Northampton counties is at the medium level right now, according to the state Health Department. Some health organizations expect the number of cases to climb as the holiday season sets in.
"It may feel like it's back to normal, but certainly for long-term care providers, workers and residents, we have to proceed with caution, especially during the holiday season,” PHCA President Zach Shamberg said.
Shamberg asked people to keep that in mind when going to see their elderly family and friends in nursing homes.
“We're issuing that same reminder to staff to remain vigilant in terms of their health to ensure that they're not bringing anything back into the facility where a resident might be able to get sick,” he said.
He said what happens outside a long-term care facility in the community can affect what happens inside.
PHCA supports long-term care providers, as well as workers and residents. PHCA is working with facilities across the state, including two in Bethlehem, ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, which has facilities in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton areas and Country Meadows Nursing & Rehab Center in Bethlehem Township.
The goal now is to try and keep visitation open so loved ones can see their family members throughout the holiday season.
“It's honestly business as usual," said Carol Stephens, nursing home administrator for ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Bethlehem North. "It's not as if we're denying any visitors; visitors are welcome to come in. At any time, throughout the day, we have visitation hours, 24/7.
“We have signage throughout the facility stating to wear a mask and the coughing techniques and coughing etiquette that you should have if you have a cold or any cold symptoms.”
The administrator also said the facility has visitors sign in at the reception desk, where they are reminded to wear a mask.
Similar protocols are in place at Country Meadows Nursing & Rehab Center, Vice President of Clinical Services Lisa Torchia said. Country Meadows also requires masks.
“We do follow all of the recommended guidelines that come from CMS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health in protecting our residents," she said. "So that would be screening people at the door, assuring masks are worn, physical distancing.”
Torchia, who is a registered nurse, added, “I think some of the most important things we can do is to make sure that we are doing frequent hand washing or sanitizing with alcohol gel, because touching surfaces, someone else has just touched it, that might have germs, so you don't want to pass those along.”
Torchia said her facility has no plans to restrict visitation now or during the holiday season.
Country Meadows Nursing & Rehab Center has 70 licensed beds at that facility, while ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Bethlehem North now has about 175 residents.
