FOUNTAIN HLL

CEDARBROOK VACCINE: Cedarbrook Fountain Hill began its first round of vaccination clinics Jan. 21 to administer the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. In partnership with Walgreens, the clinics will be held on multiple dates to ensure all Fountain Hill residents and staff members have the opportunity to receive the vaccine.

The vaccination clinics will be held in the same format as Cedarbrook Allentown and will be on a staggered schedule. This is to allow residents and staff to start the cycle either in Clinic 1 or Clinic 2 to then complete in Clinic 2 or Clinic 3.

The clinics are designated to take place once a month until March. The vaccination schedule is as follows:

Fountain Hill - Walgreens vaccination schedule

Clinic 2 - 2/11 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Clinic 3 - 3/4 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

All Cedarbrook Fountain Hill residents and staff are strongly encouraged to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Once an individual receives their first dose of the vaccine, they are then assigned a follow-up date with the clinic to receive their second dose. Vaccinations will be administered and monitored by Walgreens professionals directly on the Fountain Hill Campus.

LEHIGH COUNTY

COUNTY PRISON: It is with a heavy heart that the prison reports the passing of Officer Gary Dean. Gary was a dedicated member of the staff since 2016 and was a true asset as a correctional officer. His professional demeanor, bright smile, and positivity was uplifting and encouraging to everyone around him. They extend our most sincere condolences to his family and friends as they grieve this incredible loss.

The devastating impacts of COVID-19 have been realized in our communities across the Commonwealth throughout the pandemic. During the second wave, the jail was not immune to the surge in cases, as many staff members, and those in the jail’s care, live in these communities.

Since the very start of the pandemic, they have remained committed to implementing strict guidelines and safety measures to manage and mitigate the virus. Guidance and recommendations from the CDC, PA Department of Health and the contracted healthcare provider were incorporated into the pandemic response. They will continue to do everything we can to keep those that work in the facility, remain in custody, and those returning to the local community safe and healthy.

The following is a cumulative report of cases at the Lehigh County Jail since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020. All statistics are current and up to date as of Jan. 21.

Current inmate statistics: 2,062 tests performed; 1,761 negative results; 301 positive results; 296 have recovered

Current staff and contracted staff statistics: 97 positive results; 89 have recovered

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

LENDING TABLETS: The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) announces a new program to loan tablets to clients in good standing at the county’s Senior Centers. Participating Senior Center clients will be able to take a tablet out for a 90-day loan so they can participate in Health and Wellness programs via Zoom. The tablets are equipped with a hot spot so clients are not required to have their own wireless access to use them. The 180 Samsung Galaxy S5E Tablets were paid for with funding from the CARES Act under the Broadband Development program.

AAA is offering free programing to Northampton County residents age 60 and over on a virtual format.

COUNTY PRISON: The Director of Corrections reports that, since the beginning of the outbreak last year, 166 inmates at the Northampton County Prison (NCP) have tested positive for COVID-19. One-hundred-thirty-nine have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer in the institution; 27 are currently in quarantine. Since March, NCP has conducted 2,060 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All inmates coming into the facility receive a test before they are transferred to general population; residents are tested on a random basis. Less than 3 percent of the 405 inmates who entered NCP in November and December tested positive for COVID-19.

Forty-seven NCP employees have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic. Five are currently in quarantine.

There are currently 523 inmates in residence at NCP. Thirty-one non-violent offenders have been granted extended furloughs.

CORONER’S UPDATE: As of Dec. 31, 2020, the Northampton County Coroner reported 403 COVID-19 related deaths in Northampton County (359 residents/44 non-residents). The Lehigh County Coroner reported 118 deaths of Northampton County residents in 2020. Between the two counties, 477 deaths of Northampton County residents from COVID-19 were reported in 2020.

PENNSYLVANIA

COVID ENFORCEMENT: The Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation (BEI) has released data related to COVID-19 enforcement actions from Jan. 10 through 17.

With the high number of COVID cases across the commonwealth, the Department of State is continuing with compliance enforcement as it relates to the regulated boards and commissions. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for the licensed professions, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits. These numbers include actions taken during routine inspections and investigations prompted by consumer complaints.

From Jan. 10 through 17, BEI performed 503 total inspections and opened 21 investigations during which COVID-19-specific compliance was a focus. This week, the Bureau distributed three warning letters and no compliance letters relating to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

PLCB ENFORCEMENT: Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 470 licensed liquor establishments from Jan. 22 through 24 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 30 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.

RITE AID PARTNERSHIP: The departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (DOH) have announced a partnership between the commonwealth and Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to staff and residents of certain long-term care facilities and congregate care settings licensed by DHS. These facilities are prioritized for vaccination in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania’s Interim Vaccination Plan but most are not included in the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program.

The partnership with Rite Aid begins today. Clinics will be established where residents and staff of these DHS-licensed facilities can go to obtain vaccine doses at a scheduled time. Vaccinations will take place on-site at facilities where individuals served are not able to travel to a clinic site. This effort is separate from the Retail Pharmacy Partnership program, and vaccinations will not take place at Rite Aid retail pharmacies.

EXTENDED BENEFITS: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced Jan. 22 that payments for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the new federal CARES Act extension are resuming. PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are not typically eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. This includes gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down 0.1 percentage points over the month to 6.7 percent in December, the eighth consecutive monthly decline. The U.S. rate remained unchanged from November at 6.7 percent. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 2.1 percentage points above its December 2019 level, while the national rate was up 3.1 points over the year.