LEHIGH VALLEY

COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS: Over the last month, hospitalizations related to COVID-19 infection have risen substantially, adding additional strain to health care organizations and clinicians across the nation. Most people who are hospitalized have not received their initial vaccination series and booster. This emphasizes the importance of the vaccines for those who have yet to be vaccinated.

“If you compare where we are to one month ago, hospitalizations are up 43 percent,” says Alex Benjamin, MD, Chief Infection Control and Prevention Officer, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). “The current number of hospitalizations is the highest we’ve seen since delta became the dominant variant locally at the beginning of July.”

UNVACCINATED AT RISK: With over 85 percent of those hospitalized statewide known to be unvaccinated, and more children hospitalized at LVHN due to COVID-19 than ever before, it is clear the pandemic continues to primarily affect the unvaccinated.

At LVHN facilities alone, 76.6 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated and only 0.4 percent are fully vaccinated and have received a booster.

In addition to the importance of initial vaccinations, preliminary data from Pfizer and BioNTech have added additional insight into the importance of booster shots. Recent blood test results reported by the companies suggest that people who received three doses of their vaccine were more protected against infection from the newest COVID-19 variant (omicron) than individuals who only received two doses.

RISK FACTORS: Your risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 and requiring hospitalization is significantly higher if you have or are any of the following (especially if you are unvaccinated): Cancer; Chronic kidney disease; Chronic lung disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension; Dementia or other neurological conditions; Type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Down syndrome; Heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension; HIV infection; Liver disease; Sickle cell disease or thalassemia; Stroke or cerebrovascular disease; Undergone a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant; Overweight or obese; A current or former smoker; Immunocompromised; AND a substance use disorder

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends booster shots for all adults 18 and older if they are six months past completing their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna series or two months after receiving their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: We know that COVID-19 will be here for the near future, and although there may be changes in the number of cases and hospitalization rates, the general precautions will remain the same.

In addition to getting fully vaccinated, there are other safety precautions you and your family can take in your everyday lives, including:

Wearing well-fitting masks indoors if you have conditions (or take medications) that weaken your immune system or if you are visiting an area with high transmission.

Wearing well-fitting masks outdoors if you are in a highly populated area in close contact with unvaccinated individuals.

Practicing hand hygiene and physical distancing.

Avoiding crowded spaces.

ST. LUKE’S UPDATE: St. Luke’s University Health Network has updated its hospital visitor policy in response to a dramatic, ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases caused by patients who contracted the virus after refusing to be vaccinated.

Currently St. Luke’s is treating approximately 220 COVID-19 inpatients across its 14 campuses – virtually the same number the Network had in its care at this time last year before peaking in late December/early January. More than 80 percent of current COVID inpatients are unvaccinated.

Under St. Luke’s updated visitor policy, the Network will allow for up to two visitors per patient for the duration of the hospitalization at all of its hospital locations with the following restrictions:*

We highly recommend that all visitors be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Visiting hours are between noon and 8 p.m. for up to two visitors aged 12 and older.

Masks are to be worn (covering your nose and mouth) along with maintaining a social distance for the duration of the visit.

Eating/drinking by visitors should be limited to cafeterias, as available. Visitors may not eat/drink while in patient rooms or waiting areas, as this requires mask removal.

Visitors must be in good health and may be subject to a health screening.

Visitation for COVID-19 positive patients is prohibited except for those nearing end of life.

For patients with cognitive or intellectual disabilities one support person may remain with the patient.

St. Luke’s understands its visitor policy might present difficulties for some patients, family members and friends, and is sympathetic to those concerns. At the same time, they must be responsible to the communities we serve and do what’s best to protect everyone. They urge those who might be impacted to please cooperate with physicians, nurses and staff as they help our organizations fight COVID-19.

Visit https://www.slhn.org/covid-19 for additional details and updates.

TEEN BOOSTER SHOTS: Families can now schedule Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots for children 16-17 years by appointment only at all Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) COVID-19 vaccine clinic locations. Children age 16-17 who had their previous Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines at least six months earlier can receive the booster shot.

Through MyLVHN or the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, you can schedule a booster for teenagers in this age group at one of LVHN’s five clinic locations. Please note: You cannot directly schedule through these clinic or practice location pages.