Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19). Read our general awareness statement here.
Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Update
Information was Updated April 13, 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.
PRESBYTERIAN SENIOR CARE NETWORK UPDATES
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.
April 4, 2020 - Late in the day on April 4, 2020, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network was notified of its first COVID-19 team member. A personal care aide from our Southminster Place personal care community on our 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. View News Release
April 8, 2020 - Exercising an abundance of caution, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network tested all residents at Southminster Place after receiving notification about a team member at that location who tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on April 4, 2020. Results on 46 residents were negative. One resident tested positive. Precautions for both the team member and resident were heightened, and the resident was resting comfortably in her apartment at Southminster Place. View News Release
May 19, 2020 - Presbyterian SeniorCare Network verified late today that one employee from its Elmwood Gardens skilled nursing community in Erie tested positive for COVID-19.
With the safety of residents and staff as its utmost priority, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has decided to test all 76 residents from both the personal care and skilled nursing communities of Elmwood Gardens as well as its approximately 120 employees. View News Release
June 1, 2020 - Today Presbyterian SeniorCare Network shared that it has received negative COVID-19 test results for all 71 residents and 104 team members from Elmwood Gardens who were tested after learning on Tuesday, May 19th that one employee had tested positive for the virus. View News Release
Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is committed to full transparency related to COVID-19 testing and outcomes among our residents, patients and staff. Beginning on May 19, 2020, test results for all care communities across our Network can be found at the link below.
This information will be updated on a regular basis, and we invite you to check back as often as you’d like. Keep in mind that the data shown is just for each day and is not a running cumulative total since the beginning of any reporting period.
Additionally, you may be aware that the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting COVID-19 cases for long-term care communities under the section called, COVID-19 Cases Associated with Nursing Homes and Personal Care Homes to Date, on its website. Here is the link to that information: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx
To learn about resources that can help everyone stay well and engaged during these times, check out our Connected at the Heart page.
Current Visitor Guidelines
The COVID-19 situation is changing daily and we are monitoring it closely. It now is a global pandemic and 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 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) as well as state and local agencies, which continues to be updated as more is learned. The current guidance is to maintain heightened precautionary measures in order to protect the most vulnerable.
For ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, which include independent living, skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers as well as assisted living and personal care communities, we have a “NO VISITORS” policy in place until further notice. We will be following federal, state and local guidance about when we may be permitted to offer in-person visitation again. Please refer to the information below regarding the REOPENING OF PENNSYLVANIA, which describes the restrictions for long-term care communities and other congregate settings.
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.
REOPENING PENNSYLVANIA
With new case counts showing that these aggressive efforts have flattened the curve, the governor and his administration will begin to plan for a reopening process that protects Pennsylvanians and helps to stabilize the economy.
To that end, the administration will work with economic and public health experts to determine the metrics used for safe reopening by taking a regional, sector-based approach.
In consultation with Team PA, the Department of Health, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and others, the administration will develop guidance for businesses, local governments, workers, customers, and others and guide a safe reopening process.
Standards
- Our approach will be data driven and reliant upon quantifiable criteria to drive a targeted, evidence-based, regional approach to reopenings in Pennsylvania.
- We will put forth guidance and recommendations for employers, individuals, and health care facilities and providers for assured accountability as we reopen.
- Reopening necessitates that adequate personal protective equipment and diagnostic testing are available.
- Reopening requires a monitoring and surveillance program that allows the commonwealth to be deploy swift actions for containment or mitigation.
- Protections for vulnerable populations must remain steadfast throughout the reopening process, such as limitations on visitors to congregate care facilities and prisons.
- Limitations on large gatherings unrelated to occupations should remain in place for the duration of the reopening process.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says people shouldn’t be expecting a quick return to their regular way of life even after pandemic restrictions begin to ease in some counties next month.“I think that the idea — and the governor has spoken on this — that we’re going to go back exactly to how we were before, at least for the foreseeable future, is unlikely,” Levine said. “I think there will be a new normal. But as the governor often says, Pennsylvanians are strong and resilient and we will get through this.”
Geography and population complicate Pennsylvania's reopening.
GENERAL COVID-19 INFORMATION
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. On April 1, 2020, Governor Wolf issued a stay-at-home-order for all Pennsylvania residents through April 30, 2020.
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.
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
We have some general information listed below, but for the most valuable, up-to-date resources. Other helpful resources can be found on our Connected at the Heart resource page.
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- US Department of Health & Human Services
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Allegheny County Department of Health
- US Postal Service Coronavirus Statement of March 17, 2020
- The CDC Coronavirus webpage for those at a higher risk of complications
- AARP's News and Guidance on Coronavirus
- The Pioneer Network Resource Library
- The Alzheimer's Association's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tips for Dementia Caregivers page
- COVID-19 Guide for Older Adults
- Coronavirus terms: A glossary to understand the pandemic
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.
