Schuylkill County nursing homes are taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Currently, there are no presumed positive cases of the deadly virus in Schuylkill County. There are no cases in any county surrounding Schuylkill, either.
Still, in the last week, nursing homes across the coal region are announcing restrictions on visitations to their facilities. Some are instituting advanced screening measures, as well, for any staff or personnel entering nursing homes.
Schuylkill County Nursing Homes Respond to Coronavirus Outbreak in PA
Here’s how several nursing homes around Schuylkill are responding to the coronavirus outbreak in Pennsylvania:
Shenandoah Manor Nursing Center Closed to Visitors
On Wednesday, Shenandoah Manor Nursing Center closed its facility to visitors entirely. The company says there are no active illnesses in the facility.
Additionally, the nursing home requires all staff and personnel have their temperature checked on arrival. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be denied access.
Shenandoah Manor says residents and their families should keep in contact via phone or Skype until it releases new updates.
HCR ManorCare Restricts Access to Patients
HCR ManorCare announced it’s limiting visitations to its assisted living communities and skilled nursing centers.
It operates ManorCare Health Services-Pottsville on Pulaski Drive. There are other ManorCare facilities nearby in Laureldale, Sinking Spring, West Reading, and Lebanon.
The company says, “Visitors should not exceed more than one visitor who is not a part of the care delivery team per patient, resident or community member per day.”
No one under the age of 18 is allowed to visit any ManorCare facilities.
Visitors who do come to one of the company’s facilities must wash and sanitize their hands before entering any area with patients. They also urge visitors to observe social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
There are a few exceptions to these temporary restrictions. Verbatim from the company statement, those situations are:
- end-of-life situations
- when a visitor is determined to be essential for the patient’s, resident’s or community member’s emotional well-being as determined by the interdisciplinary team
- other disciplines as required by the plan of care to include but not limited to, hospice and contract providers.
Enhanced Screening of Visitors at Genesis – Schuylkill Center
About a week ago, Genesis Healthcare issued a statement on increased screening and restricted access for visitors at its facilities. It operates Genesis – Schuylkill Center on Schuylkill Manor Road in Pottsville.
In a statement, the company says, “Since the outbreak began in China, our senior management team, clinical leadership and Chief Medical Officer have been meeting regularly to address current concerns about an outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, and the possibility of this impacting our Centers. Please rest assured that our regional and center leaders are currently receiving regular updates on the latest admission screening guidelines and infection control protocols.
Everything we are doing is in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Departments of Public Health. At this time, we are also enhancing employee, patient and visitor screenings and precautions in all centers, based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements.”
Call Ahead to The Gardens at York Terrace
On Wednesday, The Gardens at York Terrace released a statement from Christine Monahan, NHA. It asks that visitors call the facility prior to arriving to learn what it is doing currently to control the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Symptoms? Stay Away from Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill
Consulate Health Care, which operates Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill, announced last week that it’s asking visitors who experience symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus to stay away from the nursing home in Pottsville:
- Coughing
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
“If you have visited any of the affected areas such as China, S. Korea, Italy, Iran, or even Japan in the last 21 days, or have been exposed to anyone that has tested positive or is under observation for COVID-19, that you not visit our center at this time,” the company said in a Facebook post on March 6.
General Advice from Broad Mountain Health & Rehabilitation Center, Tremont Health & Rehabilitation Center
On March 9, Saber Healthcare Group, which owns Broad Mountain Health & Rehabilitation Center in Frackville and Tremont Health & Rehabilitation Center in Tremont, advised visitors and staff to observe practical hygiene tips for helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
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