WRC Weekly COVID-19 Update
12/17/2020
We’re sharing our weekly update to keep WRC employees, residents, and families informed of changing regulations and policies at the national and state level, as well as within the WRC continuum. Thank you to all WRC essential workers!
Updates within WRC Continuum
- COVID status at each community (as of 12-17-2020, 12:00 PM)
- Highland Oaks in Clarion, PA
- 0 current resident cases, 0 current staff cases, 2 cumulative cases
- Edgewood Heights in New Bethlehem, PA
- 7 new resident cases, 1 new staff cases, 33 cumulative cases
- Ridgmont in Ridgway, PA
- 2 current resident cases, 1 current staff cases, 4 cumulative cases
- Laurelbrooke Personal Care
- 0 current resident cases, 0 current staff cases, 5 cumulative cases
- McKinley Health Center
- 8 new resident cases, 4 new staff cases, 68 cumulative cases
- Please contact the community directly for more information about current and past COVID-19 cases, or the Director of Strategic Communication at 814-220-2142.
- Highland Oaks in Clarion, PA
- Walgreens and CVS to offer COVID Vaccines at no-cost to long-term care facilities
- Long-term care facilities nationwide can opt in to a pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff with no out-of-pocket costs. WRC has partnered with Walgreens and will receive this benefit in upcoming weeks as vaccine distribution details are finalized.
PA Department of Health Updates
- The PA DOH Released Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control Considerations for Healthcare Personnel with Signs and Symptoms following COVID-19 Vaccination
- Signs and symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, and arthralgia, can typically occur following COVID-19 vaccination, usually within the first three days of vaccination.
- Presence of signs and symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection that are not typical for post-vaccination signs and symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Positive viral (nucleic acid or antigen) tests for SARS-CoV-2, if performed, should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine, as vaccination does not influence the results of these tests.
Other News and Resources
- CMS Administrator Seema Verma makes Statement on FDA Emergency Use Authorization of a COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate
- “Today’s announcement is a historic turning point in the fight against the virus. The beginning of the end of this chapter in our world’s history has arrived. Our hearts and minds continue to be with those who have lost loved ones, and I urge states to prioritize nursing homes and vulnerable seniors in their distribution of the vaccine. As we approach more widespread distribution, all Americans can take comfort in the fact that CMS has laid the groundwork to guarantee that every American can get the vaccine for free.”
- PharMerica released the below infographics on vaccines in preparation for deliveries to long-term care facilities. For more information, visit pharmerica.com/covid19
- AMDA RELEASES COVID-19 VACCINE EDUCATION TOOLKIT
- Includes FAQ for senior living communities as featured here: QA about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Patients Family Member and Staff
