NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

GRACEDALE UPDATE: As of Dec. 27, there are zero cases of COVID-19 among Gracedale residents. Fourteen staff members have tested positive for the virus and are currently in quarantine.

Currently, 92 percent of residents have been vaccinated with 71 percent also having received the booster; 87 percent of healthcare workers are vaccinated. Gracedale continues to offer vaccination clinics as well as booster shots against the virus. Visits are still being scheduled, but all visitors are requested to wear N-95 or K-95 masks while in the facility.

“The vaccinations are helping to suppress infections at Gracedale,” says Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King. “We continue to wear masks, practice proper hand hygiene and use social distancing to protect our most vulnerable residents.” Employees and residents of Gracedale began receiving vaccinations against COVID-19 in December 2020.

COUNTY PRISON: The Director of Corrections reports that, as of Dec. 27, there were seven cases of COVID-19 among inmates at Northampton County Prison (NCP). Since the start of the pandemic, 307 inmates have tested positive; 300 have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer at NCP. Seven Department of Correction’s employees are currently in quarantine after testing positive for the virus.

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 6,494 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 622 inmates in residence at NCP.

CORONOR’S REPORT: Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 22, 2021, the Northampton County Coroner has recorded 257 COVID-19 related deaths in Northampton County (217 Residents/40 Non-Residents). The last COVID-19 related death was recorded on Dec. 22. As of Oct. 14, the Lehigh County Coroner had reported 107 deaths of Northampton County residents. Between the two counties, 324 deaths of Northampton County residents from COVID-19 have been reported this year.

In 2020, the Northampton County Coroner reported 403 COVID-19 related deaths (359 Residents and 44 Non-residents). The Lehigh County Coroner reported 118 deaths for a total of 477 COVID-19-related deaths for Northampton County residents in 2020.

LEHIGH VALLEY

ST. LUKE’S SUPPORTS SCHOOL MASKING: St. Luke’s supports mandatory masking at area schools as children return to classrooms after the holiday.

As the country sets daily records for positive COVID tests, masking can help slow the spread of the virus, including the highly contagious Omicron variant that now accounts for a majority of infections. This simple step will help to protect immunocompromised students and staff and help to prevent mass outbreaks and school closures.

“What we are experiencing now is our biggest Covid surge yet,” said Jeffrey Jahre, MD, St. Luke’s Senior Vice President of Medical & Academic Affairs and Section Chief Emeritus of Infectious Diseases. “If there was ever a time for area school boards, administrators and parents to get behind masking, it’s now.

Currently, area hospitals are caring for record or near-record numbers of COVID patients. Lines for Covid tests may be hours long.

As a reminder, if you develop a fever and symptoms such as a cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor for medical advice.

Fully vaccinated and boosted individuals with mild non-progressive COVID symptoms such as a runny nose do not need to go to a hospital emergency department or urgent care center. Individuals experiencing more serious Covid symptoms such as difficulty breathing, sustained high fever, confusion or the inability to maintain adequate hydration should seek medical attention, and for such individuals a visit to a hospital emergency department or urgent care center may be appropriate.

Jahre noted that people who go to a hospital emergency department or urgent care location may experience longer wait times because of the ongoing surge in COVID-19 Omicron cases. “We ask people to be respectful to our staff, who are working diligently under very challenging circumstances,” he said.