Another recent study from Israel, which also hasnt been published or peer-reviewed yet, showed natural immunity provided longer-lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalization due to the delta variant than the Pfizer vaccine. What is the current status of COVID-19 cases on campus? The first shipments of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for emergency use arrived in the Lehigh Valley around noon Thursday. Please do not send us any additional information other than what is requested in the form above. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. LVHN also now accepts walk-ins at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic-Northampton Crossings located at 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County. At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. Natural infection is much more likely to result in serious sickness or death, whereas a vaccine protects against serious illness or death from COVID-19 infection, he said. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants decreases over time. St. Lukes and Good Shepherds vaccine mandates had earlier deadlines than LVHN and those networks also reported success from their mandates. Phone: 610 -402-1880 Fax: 610-402-1203 O'Donnell doesn't agree with the area's major hospitals - LVHN, St. Lukes and Good Shepherd- which are mandating all their employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. Your View by LVHN employee: Why there's little room in Black community Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September, The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. However, the study has multiple limitations. Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. How is noncompliance with the booster requirement addressed? The university will not share confidential health information. Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for 10 days, or seven days if theyve tested negative for the virus. Vaccine providers may not require you to show your vaccination card to get a booster or may be able to provide you with separate documentation that you received a booster. This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. hUmOP+fq& -VMU2 1.28.22: Update from the COVID Response Team - Lehigh University Refer to our isolation and quarantining protocol for what to expect if you live on or off campus. LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. In mid-November, following a slew of lawsuits a judge in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Bidens mandate for employees at large companies. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. The safety and well-being of the Lehigh community are our highest priority as we strive to provide the educational environment and workplace that students, faculty and staff expect. Position: LVHN is seeking an Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant (Physician Assistant )<br>Orthopedics opening in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.<p>This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. For those who are tested at an alternate location, be aware that if you are not taking a rapid test, your results may take several days to be processed. Example: restricting and isolating to a room separated from others in the household. Natural immunity has come up in lawsuits across the nation, with some arguing that they shouldnt have to get the vaccine because they already had COVID-19. St. Luke's and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org . A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in August found that subjects who had natural immunity but were unvaccinated were more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19 as those who had natural immunity and those who got their shots. Health Research; Employee Wellness Programs; More information on Community. Miller is among about 75 LVHN employees, patients and community members who consented to participate in the Phase 3 trial for the . Remember that if you receive a positive test result from testing conducted outside of the HWC,you must report your result by uploading it to thePatient Portal. Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, recent study by researchers at Rockefeller University, more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19, centers for disease control and prevention, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. URMC Events - University of Rochester Medical Center If an instructor becomes symptomatic or receives a positive COVID test result, the instructor should shift the class to remote instruction until the instructor receives a confirmed negative test result or, in the case of a positive test, is cleared to return to work. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Contact your school or place of employment about specific COVID-19 guidelines before returning. St. Lukes and LVHN still encouraging employees with natural immunity to get the vaccine to maximize their protection against the viral infection. In both instances, arguments were made that plaintiffs should be exempt from mandates because they had already been infected with COVID-19. If I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? What do I do if I suspect I have COVID-19? If you have any additional questions, call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about speaking to a provider virtually. endstream endobj startxref In July, LVHN was the only regional health network to become part of the Pfizer booster shot trial, again, leading the way in curbing the spread of COVID-19. From low to high risk, the levels are: green, yellow, orange and red. If you receive a positive test from an outside source, be sure to let the Health and Wellness Center know and to upload your results on your health center portal. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. You may also consult with Human Resources at. Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? We appreciate your patience. Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. About 97% of current LVHN employees are fully vaccinated Brian Downs, a network spokesperson, said. Lastly, because new medical research has yet to be evaluated or peer-reviewed, it should not be used to guide clinical practice, according to medRxiv, the preprint server the study was posted on. If you are 65 years of age or older (another higher risk category defined by the CDC) or do not have an underlying medical condition but are generally concerned about returning to campus, please talk with your department chair or supervisor about modifications (such as flexplace arrangements, flexible schedules or workspace modifications) that may allow you to perform your position accountabilities effectively and productively. Under the executive orders, federal employees, federal contractors and health care workers at facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funds would also have been required to get vaccinated and will not have an option for weekly testing. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. During this quarantine, you should monitor your health for any symptoms. What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? Quarantine: separates and restricts the movements of those who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick. %%EOF For more information on these requirements and for additional health guidance, please visit our Vaccination Resources Center. Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result ina hold being placed on the student's account which will prevent them from registering for classes for the following semester. Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. On Friday, Feb. 3, LVHN will . Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. Can we keep it if it makes us feel more comfortable? Note to supervisors and department chairs: Staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. If you choose to submit your information via the Google Form, your information will be kept strictly confidential and will be submitted to Capital Blue Cross through their secure portal. Normal cleaning processes will resume. Details will be forthcoming. Once youve found out youve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. Approximately 7.6 million Pennsylvanians 59% of the states population are fully vaccinated, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recently corrected the data to weed out duplicate reports. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. As a result, LVHN's LVHN to open 8 coronavirus testing sites in Lehigh Valley "Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19," said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. Vaccination Resources | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center Call 610-861-8080, select 5 to bypass menu and enter extension 21237. ]oeaf4{hM>,O G!&B{] Out of nearly 40,000 workers across all three networks, only a few hundred chose to resign. Yes, Lehigh will continue to require COVID vaccination and boosters for all students, faculty and staff (unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption). Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . We are not installing plexiglass at general locations at this time. What do I do if I have COVID-19-related concerns about returning to campus? Filter changes will continue to follow ASHRAE guidelines. Directions to our locations; A Pennsylvania hospital chain announces it will not require employees who had COVID-19 to get vaccinated for 12 months after their positive tests. However, Dr. Michael Nussenzweig, one of the studys authors and head of Rockefellers Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, said in this instance benefits dont outweigh risks. Why is Lehigh requiring a COVID booster shot for all eligible students, faculty, and staff? Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? If a student tests positive for COVID-19, including those living off-campus, the student must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days. Medical Information Request and Verification Form. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. The nurse case manager will facilitate care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. Out of a workforce approximately 20,000 strong, 97% are fully vaccinated. Some of the more common onsite services performed include: Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service(s). Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. \w `SHF$""\ypG >q]GUH.8Ap PTcdFdTzA$'D1d)=/UI@GF/m=8 |4&_55=y4gI:_] ZfsH/2L9>z 9A5K'QkNg. #`4Kx\aXNUmkSiXsl'+M_'uf~l Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. Without speaking specifically about St. Lukes policy, Dr. John Zurlo, chief of infectious disease at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said there is no reason for anyone to defer getting vaccinated, even if they have natural immunity. You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). These policies to be introduced soon will apply to everyone who works or conducts business within the health care organizations. While Occupational Health services are vital, taking employees off the worksite is always an investment in time. If you fall into the CDC-defined category of people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to a serious underlying medical condition, you may submit a confidential request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting these forms through email at incovada@lehigh.edu. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. PDF Lehigh Valley Health Network Policy for COVID and Influenza Vaccines No. . Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. While no vaccine provides a guarantee against infection, COVID vaccination and the booster are effective at preventing serious illness and death and continue to be the best protection against the spread of new and more contagious variants of the virus. This testing can be done by your Primary Care Physician or can be coordinated through ouroccupational health services partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). COVID-19 Contacts | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center But even as the U.S. closes in on a milestone of 200 million people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, cases and hospitalizations are spiking again, including in highly inoculated corners of the country like New England. Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. %PDF-1.7 % We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions. St. Lukes University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network are allowing employees who already had COVID-19 to defer getting the COVID-19 vaccine due to the natural immunity they have against the virus. COVID-19 Vaccine | Frequently Asked Questions | Geisinger MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment - Lehigh Valley Health Network Already a print subscriber? < People who believe they may have. If you don't feel well: Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. I lost my vaccine card. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. LVHN was the last to. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. We have prepared guidance on what to do if you are feeling sick and suspect you have COVID-19. International students who cannot get boosted where they are located should schedule a booster as soon as they return to the United States. He said there are considerations for employers such as how they will establish whether somebody had COVID-19 as well as determining how long they will allow employees to defer their shots. If the percentage of students in isolation for COVID in a class (section) is greater than 30%, the instructor can move to remote instruction until students return from isolation. LVHN will provide vaccinations to employees through employee health services and to all personnel through designated LVHN COVID-19 clinic locations. HUMo0Wh jv E6i0v7Vlm]GJ8a.QlS||@,8%CYw@hZD=Zor J!F#bA8 \gnhC# . Anne Baum on LinkedIn: LVHN Heart and Vascular Expertise Gets Global The . It has been brought to the attention of Human Resources that some healthcare providers may be submitting incorrect billing codes to Capital Blue Cross when a patient receives a COVID-19 diagnostic test, resulting in the patient being responsible for a copay or coinsurance for the visit. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? No. COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty A recent study by researchers at Rockefeller University, which hasnt been published or peer-reviewed, found that natural infection can create B cells, a type of white blood cell, that produce more potent antibodies for fighting COVID-19 and its variants than the B cells created after vaccination. Experiencing COVID-Like Symptoms Immediately notify your supervisor, department chair or PI, go home and self-isolate. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. What should I do if I've had contact with someone with COVID-19? In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. In addition, widespread vaccination supports the health and safety of the campus community and helps us to achieve and sustain a safe and successful semester with more normal activity on campus, including in-person classes, in-person events, full density, and other elements of the full campus experience. Both of the major health networks in the Lehigh Valley have COVID-19 vaccine mandates in place for employees, but if any employee contracted COVID-19 themselves, they are allowed to defer. The hotline is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . Love Where You Work! Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. Keep up with the latest info on corona in Munich (in German) If you are covered under one of the Universitys medical plans and if you, or any of your covered dependents, have received a COVID-19 diagnostic test for which you received a bill for the visit and/or test, and would like to have our office request that Capital Blue Cross review the claim, please complete the following Google Form: 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request. Working on Campus. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). For all undergraduate and graduate students: If a student tests positive for COVID-19, including those living off-campus, the student must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days. The university will not share confidential health information. The situation is not as dire as last years surge, before the public had any access to COVID-19 vaccines, but the roughly 60% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent hot spots. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. LVHN to close COVID clinics, will offer vaccines at practices Following that deadline, St. Lukes officials announced that 17,000 employees had complied with the mandate and 155 employees resigned rather than get the vaccine. However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfe or Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptomsand for those experiencing symptoms. 0. Almost everyone who works at the Lehigh Valleys biggest hospital networks tens of thousands of health care employees has now been vaccinated against COVID-19. At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. St. For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. On Wednesday, Pfizer said that the initial two shots of its vaccine appear significantly less effective against omicron but that a booster dose may offer important protection. At these locations, we will screen, assess, test and keep you safe. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated that, unlike vaccinations, employers cannot mandate antibody tests because they are not reliable. You may also consult with Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu to determine whether your circumstances may be addressed under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The clinic is open 8 . Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at provost@lehigh.edu and staff should contact Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu. Contact a LVHN employee health nurse. Click here.). Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result must notify Christine Wolfe and notify Lehigh by following the instructions in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Employee Health Guide. endstream endobj 395 0 obj <>stream The university is developing a new process for faculty and staff to confirm their vaccination status. If you or your child have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults or children (MIS-A or MIS-C), consider delaying vaccination until you have recovered from being sick and for 90 days after the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.. Vision exams Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service (s). Another 1.2 million have received a booster dose. Health eCareers hiring CRNA | LVHN NorthEastern PA in Dickson City Fact check: Workers fired over vaccination can be denied unemployment That's the message from Lehigh Valley Health Network, according to a news release. (Cant see the Pa. case rate chart? PDF Lehigh Valley Health Network Policy for COVID and Influenza Vaccines If you seek a test with an independent testing site, you will also need to contact the Bailey Health Center if you test positive for COVID-19. Vaccines are a modern miracle and a triumph of modern medicine and unquestionably have proven to be extremely effective.. Is there support for University staff and faculty (and their dependents) for mental health needs during this period? The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Testing and visits for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are covered under the Universitys medical plans with no cost share to the patient through January 16, 2022. Low-cost health insurance for employees CME reimbursement and time outside of normal PTO to take classes, attend conferences etc. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Only six Good Shepherd employees chose to resign. The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. But some medical research shows that natural immunity may offer some benefits vaccines dont. You should contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. LVHN is closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Sam Kennedy, spokesperson for St. Lukes, said the move to implement this exemption was made based on guidance from network infectious disease experts. Visit If you want your COVID-19 vaccination quickly, sign up for or enroll in a MyLVHN account. Health Matters Blog; Services Listing; Pay Bill; Health Encyclopedia; Find a Provider; For Referring Physicians at the University of Rochester; .