LEHIGH COUNTY

VACCINE AVAILABLE: On Jan. 13, Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong joined County Commissioner Dan Hartzell and Cedarbrook Administrator and Director Jason Cumello in receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine was administered at Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehabilitation in Allentown on the first day of their vaccination clinics.

Cedarbrook resident Jean Larison also participated and received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, hoping to encourage fellow residents to do the same.

In partnership with Walgreens, Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehabilitation in Allentown has begun its first round of clinics to administer the Pfizer vaccine. Vaccinations are scheduled to take place on a staggered schedule in order to ensure that residents and staff have the opportunity to get vaccinated. Clinics are scheduled to take place until the end of February.

The current dates for these clinics are as follows:

Clinic 2: Feb. 2, 4, 5

Clinic 3: Feb. 24, 25, 26

The video of the vaccination process can be found on the Lehigh County website. For more information please contact Public Information Officer Laura Grammes at 610-782-3002.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

COUNTY HOME: Residents and employees at Gracedale Nursing Home continue to receive distributions of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. So far, 32.2 percent of staff and 57.3 percent of the residents have received the first dose of the vaccine

Additional vaccination distributions at Gracedale are scheduled through February.

As of Jan. 9, 2021, 246 personnel at Gracedale have received the first of two inoculations; 202 of those are county employees who are eligible for the $750 incentive.

On Dec. 17, 2020, County Council approved Resolution 164-2020 authorizing a $750 incentive for Gracedale employees who get the vaccine. The money comes from residual CARES Act funding to address infection control in nursing homes.

PENNSYLVANIA

WORK PLACE SAFETY: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s (L&I) Bureau of Labor Law Compliance has released data related to COVID-19 enforcement actions for Jan. 4 to 8. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation efforts related to businesses that are not covered by other state agencies, boards or bureaus.

To date, the Bureau of Labor Law Compliance has assigned 262 cases to its investigators. Between Jan. 4 and 8, the Department completed six investigations that were sent to the Department of Health (DOH).

L&I is assisting the DOH in investigating employee complaints that their employers are violating COVID safety orders issued by Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. L&I serves as the point of receipt for workplace-related complaints and works with DOH to investigate the complaints and seek appropriate remedies.

Pennsylvania workers can report workplace safety concerns through the form on DOH’s website.

MEDIA VACCINATIONS: The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has announced that they have adopted the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations on the prioritization of vaccine distribution. “Media” is included in the list of “essential workers” that should receive a vaccine in Phase 1c. Newspaper production personnel would also arguably be included in Phase 1 b.

VACCINATION PARTNERSHIP: Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that the commonwealth has activated Phase B of the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, to expand its mission to include personal care and assisted living facilities, among others, throughout Pennsylvania. The department also requested the federal government launch the Retail Pharmacy Partnership with two retail partners, TopCo Associates, LLC and Rite Aid, to expand access to vaccinate health care personnel, and eventually other phases of the state’s vaccine plan. The Federal Pharmacy Partnership has two phases: Phase A for skilled nursing facilities and Phase B for other long-term care facilities.”

PLCB ENFORCEMENT: Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,135 licensed liquor establishments from Jan. 11-14 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.

Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued 17 notices of violation and 21 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements.

Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.

EDUCATION FUNDS: Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating $2.2 billion in federal stimulus funds to K-12 school districts and charter schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to support food programs, technological improvements and other education services.

The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund passed by Congress in December.

To promote equity, efficiency, transparency and local flexibility, PDE will administer 100 percent of ESSER II funding through the Federal Title I, Part A formula, which considers the number of low-income students served by school districts and charter schools. Each entity will receive an amount proportional to federal Title I, Part A funds received in the 2020 fiscal year under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

PDE has urged school entities to continue to prioritize equity and consider how investments can accelerate opportunities for vulnerable students and families, including those living in deep poverty, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.

School districts and charter schools may use ESSER funding for a wide range of activities, including food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; and mental health supports.

UNEMPLOYMENT TAX FORMS: Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier reminded individuals who claimed unemployment benefits during 2020 to watch their mailboxes and unemployment system notifications for the 1099 form that is required to file their 2020 taxes.