We have no new positive cases in the community at large.
The most recent positivity rate in Delaware County is 4.8%. Since it has gone back down below 5%, we can return to our indoor visitation for both Meadows and Pines. Delaware County is one of 2 counties in PA that is below 5%. Delco also has the highest vaccination rate for the total population. I believe the correlation can be assumed. I would ask that you start this coming Monday with the indoor visits since it does take some organization for our units to get back to this type of visitation. Besides, it is going to be a beautiful weekend and fall is upon us! My favorite time of the year! Enjoy the outdoors!
I wanted to review a few more numbers with everyone. As of September 1st, we are 100% vaccinated as a staff. I reviewed the data from CMS, which supervises our skilled units and we are the one and only unit in Delaware County that is 100% staff vaccinated. There are a couple that are in the high 90s, but no one has attained 100%. I am very proud of the staff and their commitment to their health as well as the health of our residents and their fellow staff members. As a comparison, nationally the staff vaccination percentage is a shade over 63%, which is horrifying to me! There are units in Delco that are in that neighborhood. One of the reasons for our current staff shortages is our vaccine mandate and the expectation that you are vaccinated to work here, but I will hold steady with the expectation that we continue to search for staff that has the understanding of how important that vaccine is to our overall well-being here at WEL Mainline.
One other item to report on is the convoluted approach that the FDA and CDC have taken to the booster vaccination shot. As of this morning, the CDC has approved the shot for those over 65 years of age, those who are noted as having an immunocompromised condition, and most recently thanks to the decision from the head of the CDC, those who work in high risk settings, which includes our staff. We have been working in the background to prepare for this decision and are now able to set up a vaccine clinic onsite for our staff and our residents. There will be more to come next week from our nursing staff and our wellness department on preparing for this clinic, so once again, I say roll up your sleeve!
Please enjoy your weekend!
