NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

COUNTY PRISON: The Director of Corrections reports that, as of Dec. 20, there were seven cases of COVID-19 among inmates at Northampton County Prison (NCP). Since the start of the pandemic, 302 inmates have tested positive; 295 have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer at NCP. One Department of Corrections employee is currently in quarantine after testing positive for the virus.

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 6,371 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All new inmates are tested when they come into the facility and must show a negative result before they are transferred to General Population; residents are tested on a random basis. PrimeCare Medical does daily temperature checks, movement of inmates is restricted within the facility and meals are served in the housing unit. In-person visitation is prohibited and no volunteers are permitted in the facility. Cloth masks are provided and inmates must wear them whenever they leave their cell. Any inmate participating in work release or work programs within NCP must be vaccinated.

NCP has held 29 vaccination clinics this year and vaccinated 524 inmates. The clinics also offer booster shots. Currently, 306 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated and 55 inmates have received boosters. Shots for inmates and staff are administered by PrimeCare Medical. The vaccinations are not compulsory and are only provided to those who request them.

There are currently 638 inmates in residence at NCP.

LEHIGH VALLEY

LVHN VISITATION POLICY: Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is requesting all visitors be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to provide more protection to staff and patients amid the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, including infections from the omicron variant.

In addition to the vaccination request, LVHN is limiting visitation in adult inpatient units, including all critical care, medical-surgical and low-level monitoring units to two visitors. Those visitors must be designated for the patient’s entire hospital stay, meaning only the selected individuals can visit. Visitors will be allowed from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.

All visitors are always required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose and should always remain in the patient’s room.

In addition, visitors are not permitted to eat or drink while visiting patients and are asked to use café areas for food and beverages.

ST. LUKE’S VISITATION POLICY: St. Luke’s University Health Network has updated its hospital visitor policy in response to a dramatic, ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, including a portion of which that have been identified as the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Under St. Luke’s updated visitor policy, the network will allow for up to two vaccinated visitors per patient at all of its hospital locations.

The decision to restrict visitors to only individuals who are vaccinated is out of concern and for the protection of our most vulnerable population as well as health care staff whose ability to work at this time is critical.

Below is the updated vaccination policy:

All visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Visiting hours are from noon to 8 p.m. for up to 2 visitors, aged 12 and older.

Masks are to be worn (covering your nose and mouth) and social distancing maintained 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 in waiting areas as this requires mask removal and increases risk of infection.

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.

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