CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL

BOOSTER UPDATE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance to shorten the COVID-19 booster shot waiting time for moderately or severely immunocompromised patients receiving either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines.

The CDC now says Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients 12 and older and Moderna vaccine recipients 18 and older can get a booster shot three months after completing the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series and receiving the third dose (additional primary dose), down from the previously recommended five-month intervals.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

GRACEDALE UPDATE: As of March 1, there are zero cases of COVID-19 among Gracedale residents. The last COVID infection of a Gracedale resident was reported Feb. 7. One staff member has tested positive for the virus and is currently in quarantine.

Scheduled and compassionate care visits are allowed at this time and can be scheduled through the Therapeutic Recreation and the Social Services Department. Visitors are requested to wear N-95 or K-95 masks while in the facility.

Currently, 94 percent of residents have been vaccinated with 77 percent also having received a booster; 100 percent of healthcare workers are vaccinated. Gracedale continues to offer vaccination clinics as well as booster shots against the virus.

COUNTY PRISON UPDATE: The Director of Corrections reports that, as of March 1 there are no cases of COVID-19 among inmates and employees at Northampton County Prison (NCP).

Since the start of the pandemic, 434 inmates have tested positive; 434 have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer at NCP.

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 7,540 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.

NCP has held 33 vaccination clinics and vaccinated 581 inmates. The clinic also offers booster shots. Currently, 284 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated and 78 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 576 inmates in residence at NCP. Thirty-nine inmates have been granted extended furloughs.