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Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus Novel COVID-19 Update

Information was Updated April 4, 2020

At Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, our utmost priority is the health and well-being of our residents, patients, volunteers, team members, families, visitors and the community.

This general information is being provided for the benefit of everyone. Expect to receive information directly from YOUR Presbyterian SeniorCare Network community or program leaders for any specifics that may be appropriate.

This information will address the issues surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its implications within and surrounding our continuum of care.

Late in the day on April 4, 2020, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network received confirmation of its first COVID-19 positive case. One employee at our Southminster Place personal care community on the Washington campus tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19. We have notified Southminster Place team members, residents and family members and have taken the appropriate precautions in accordance with federal, state and local authorities. The health and safety of our team members, patients and residents are our top priority. We continue to be guided by our deep commitment to our mission and values despite these challenging times. View News Release

Current Visitor Guidelines

The COVID-19 situation is changing daily and we are monitoring it closely. It now is an unprecedented public health emergency requiring all of us to accept extraordinary sacrifice and inconvenience.

We are following the guidance from the federal government, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local agencies, which continues to be updated as more is learned. The current guidance is to heighten precautionary measures in order to protect the most vulnerable.

For our CARE COMMUNITIES, which include skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers as well as assisted living and personal care communities, we have a “NO VISITORS” policy in place until further notice.

Extraordinary circumstances, such as end-of-life, will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Administrator or Director of Nursing for the specific community where the care is being provided to discuss visitation accommodations.

For our INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES, please DO NOT visit our communities if any of the following applies:

You have traveled to a place affected by COVID-19.
You have been in contact with an individual who may have been affected by COVID-19.
You are experiencing a fever or respiratory symptoms.

If the above DOES NOT apply, please respect these guidelines for the health and well-being of everyone:

All visitors must sign-in at the main entrance to the community in order to comply with the necessary screening measures.

On March 6, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf confirmed the first two presumptive positive cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania and reminded citizens that the commonwealth is prepared to respond to community spread of this virus. Since then, more presumptive cases have been identified in across the state.

The spread of this disease is inevitable, but some basic precautions and knowledge will offer protection.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has developed a medical supplies procurement portal through a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Community and Economic Development to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders, and health care professionals. For more information, please visit the link below:

We have some general information listed below, but for the most valuable, up-to-date resources regarding the coronavirus, here are some good resources:

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes - March 10, 2020

(Excerpt)

“Because of the ease of spread in a long-term care setting and the severity of illness that occurs in residents with COVID-19, facilities should immediately restrict all visitation to their facilities except certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life situations.”

What is the Coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a virus strain, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that has only spread in people since December 2019. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.

How does it spread?

Person-to-person. COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. To prevent infection it is recommended that people stay beyond six feet of someone who is contagious. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

What are the symptoms?

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. If you have any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately, you may be contagious even if you are only feeling a little sick.

How can I protect myself and others?

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Maintain social distancing of approximately six feet.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

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