As of the end of testing yesterday, we had no new positives with our staff.

We tested the Meadows residents yesterday to ensure no new positives. We should see results this weekend.

We continue to have no positives in the Pines.

We have no positives in Independent Living.

I again reviewed the vaccine percentages by state this afternoon and Pennsylvania is currently ranked 33rd. The percentage is now 14.4%, up from 12% last week. The number of fully vaccinated is now 1.8 million, up from 1.5 million last week. There is another 1.5 million that are partially vaccinated. The total vaccine shots provided to date are 4.7 million. Now that the federal venture to complete all vaccinations in long term care sites is winding down, the expectation is to see the appointments available for general population climb up quickly. We have gotten some good news about our ongoing vaccine need, thanks to our Director of Nursing Kim’s dogged determination. We have been able to secure appointments for some new residents in Meadows and also some new staff! Our plan is to hang onto this life line while we wait for the next plan from other governmental agencies.

A more troubling statistic is that the positivity rate has actually gone up this past week, from 5.4% to 5.9%. This is a time to continue to be careful and this is what our plan continues to be while we watch the vaccine rates increase. If everything stays as it is today through next week, we will start visitation for the Meadows. Please continue to stay safe and remember there are more who are not vaccinated out there in the outside community than are vaccinated.