389 0 obj <> endobj Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. Employee Health - LVHN-CC . We look forward to working with you for a safe and healthful workplace. 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. Some staff members may still feel uncomfortable coming to campus due to concerns about their health. a hold being placed on the student's account which will prevent them from registering for classes for the following semester. She serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19 and facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. While we have had good responses so far, we will send the information to Capital Blue Cross with a request to review the claim for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that the claim will be reprocessed and paid. (Cant see the Pa. case rate chart? Ive received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Weekly testing is required for those who are exempted. Once you've found out you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. Working on Campus. The screenings include: LVHN E-Visit: This is a questionnaire-based assessment completed by you, evaluated by a provider and. St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. The . Example: restricting and isolating to a room separated from others in the household. Noncompliance with the vaccination requirement will result in employees not having access to campus facilities and will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. These policies to be introduced soon will apply to everyone who works or conducts business within the health care organizations. Good Shepherd is based in Allentown. Students with an approved exemption will be required to comply with the university's COVID-19 surveillance testing program and other preventive measures including, but not limited to, masking, social distancing and isolation/quarantine protocols, as determined by the university. What do I do? Todd Zywicki, a law professor at George Mason University, who argued he should be exempt from the schools vaccine mandate because he already had COVID-19, was able to get a medical exemption after he sued in August. Its perfectly legal for employers who have vaccine mandates in place to allow deferrals for employees with natural immunity, Ed Easterly, with the law firm Hoffman, Hlavac & Easterly, said. . In addition, LVHN produced the following video that introduces you to the care team behind the partnership and shares additional information about when and how to obtain services from Lehigh's employee health nurse case manager. Getting vaccinated has far fewer risks than catching COVID-19. Also remember that your primary care provider is always a phone call away or via a secure message through your MyLVHN account. Mar 18, 2020 at 8:00 am. 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. Instructors who choose to shift to remote-only instruction should: 1. send an email to their chair indicating their plan for instruction for the coming week and 2. inform students of this planned shift. Our journalism needs your support. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at, and staff should contact Human Resources at, Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. Once the isolation period has been completed and an individual is cleared to return to work or school, evidence of a negative test is not required. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, including those living off-campus, the student must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days. If you are out of work because you have been quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID19 or have tested positive for COVID19 yourself, follow the instructions regarding illness or exposure on the HR website. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Under St. Lukes and LVHNs new policies, individuals who were infected with COVID-19 and recovered can defer their shots for up to 12 months from the date tested positive. The Supreme Court ruling limits the power of the federal government to mandate that large employers take certain measures, such as requiring vaccinations, but does not preclude or limit employers from instituting such measures. The federal COVID-19 response excludes up to 106 million workers from paid leave protections The end result is that a legislative package with the stated intent of protecting the physical and. . Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. St. Lukes and LVHN employees who caught, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), St. Lukes and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, Bryan Kohberger defense lawyers want gag order kept in Idaho killings case, Allentown School Board likely to vote on hiring Carol Birks as superintendent next week. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. 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. The hotline is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30. 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. Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team, said a joint statement attributed to Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO Brian A. Nester, St. Lukes University Health Network CEO Rick Anderson Good Shepherd Rehabilitation CEO Michael Spigel. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. Because of this, employers that are considering deferrals for the naturally immune are trying to figure out how to structure that as an internal policy. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. What are the restrictions on events, meetings and indoor and outdoor gatherings? Lehigh Valley Health Network is closing five medical offices in Lehigh and Northampton counties, according to a letter that, LVHN spokesman Brian Downs confirmed, was sent to some employees. See 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. Keep up with the latest info on corona in Munich (in German) What should I do? For example, the U.S. 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. No. Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials report. \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 hb```)ry ae`aq%TnPm[=``j`j`@S4Bb "EL0+0ez7F|OggfFu$f -"H mYg* ]A/ Do I need to get a booster even if I am fully vaccinated and/or tested positive for COVID? Supervisors are expected to address these issues with their direct reports. Lehigh students, faculty and staff should follow the guidance provided by the Health and Wellness Center (for students) and Lehighs occupational health nursefrom LVHN(for faculty and staff). There are . You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Recently, members of the military sued the Department of Defense, Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health and Human Services, and a professor at the University of California-Irvine sued the university. All rights reserved (About Us). If you experience or witness a situation in which members of our community, regardless of whether they are students, faculty, staff, or visitors are not adhering to these standards, you have the following options: If you can safely address the concern directly with the individual or group, you may do so by reminding them of University standards and our shared responsibility in promoting a healthy, safe and inclusive learning and working environment. Click here.). On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden issued executive orders that, among other things, would have required private businesses with more than 100 employees to have their employees either get their COVID-19 shots or get tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis and would have had a deadline of Jan. 4. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health siteor Lehigh's HWC site for lists of local testing resources. You should contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. LVHN is closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics. The health network. Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result in. The facility is opening due to the increased demand for COVID-19 testing. Can faculty or staff request information from students about their vaccination status? The dividers at these locations will remain in place at present. 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. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. There are limitations, though. 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. Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. I lost my vaccine card. A Pennsylvania hospital chain announces it will not require employees who had COVID-19 to get vaccinated for 12 months after their positive tests. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. 306 S New St, Suite 437, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Expand menu for COVID-19 Guidance for Staff and Faculty, Expand menu for Flexible Spending Accounts, Expand menu for Retirement And Financial Security, Expand menu for Basic And Supplemental Life Insurance, Expand menu for Education Benefits For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Spouses/Partners, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Dependent Children, Expand menu for Ancillary Benefits And Services, Expand menu for Extended Health Care Benefits, Expand menu for Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Expand menu for Staff Fully Remote Policy, Expand menu for Market Referenced Job Evaluation Process, Expand menu for Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Expand menu for Position Description User Guides, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Policy Compliance, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Committee, To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with. PA-07 COVID-19 Testing Sites Lehigh Valley Health Network COVID-19 Assess and Test Locations Instructions (apply to each location) "We have opened LVHN COVID-19 Assess and Test locations throughout the region to minimize our community's exposure to COVID-19. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15. However, the LVHN mandate didnt go into effect until Aug. 24, the day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizers vaccine. 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. 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. 0. Our partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager, Christine Wolfe RN, who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. 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. Lukes infectious disease experts are following the science, and our policies are based on the science, Kennedy said. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. %%EOF Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Lehigh medical benefits include behavioral health coverage. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. If you have any questions on your system or space please contact your building manager to review. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. Send a secure message to the Health and Wellness Center through the Patient Portal and they will be able to log your individual situation and advise on any further questions about your vaccination/booster schedule. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. 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. Remdesivir Intravenous Therapy Now Offered Exclusively at New Infusion Site, Heart Complication (Myocarditis) Rare After COVID-19 Vaccination, We Are Family: Vaccine Clinic Brings Vaccines to Hazleton, COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Third Shots, COVID-positive patients must mask if able when staff are present in the room, Mask strongly encouragedwhen not eating or drinking, Permitted to visit LVHN employees and non-COVID-19 patients, Pet visits must be authorized by a physician, Follow guidelines for area(s) to be visited. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. - Lehigh Valley Health Network said Friday it will be closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. 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 should self-isolate, follow a primary care physicians advice, notify your supervisor or department chair of your absence, and notify Lehigh by contacting the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe,RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. 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. Faculty and staff must continue to monitor personal health for symptoms and risk of exposure. Will the university share who is vaccinated and unvaccinated? Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. 426 0 obj <>stream Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. P.C. St. Luke's and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer Some employers are considering allowing. endstream endobj 395 0 obj <>stream "Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team," said Brian A. Nester, DO,. How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? 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. 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. Sodexo is seeking a full-time Manager 3, Regional Operations Support to support new business and/or vacancies throughout the entire US in Food and Environmental Services for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, located in Allentown, PA. On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. If you received a medical or religious exemption from COVID vaccination, you are not required to get a booster shot and do not need to take any further action. The mandate for health care workers would have gone into effect Monday if not for judges in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District Court of Missouri and the Western District of Louisiana issuing injunctions on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? People who should wait to get vaccinated - If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma while sick with COVID-19, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Inpatient Physiatry. an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. All faculty have been instructed to work with students to ensure their ability to keep up with coursework if they need to quarantine or isolate. MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment Online scheduling is currently disabled Please call us at 888-402-LVHN (5846) to schedule an appointment. Filter changes will continue to follow ASHRAE guidelines. 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). For students who are experiencing symptoms, we have partnered with the Lehigh Valley Health Network as a supplemental resource to provide access to their 24/7 nurse triage line (1-888-402-LVHN). 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. About 97% of current LVHN employees are fully vaccinated Brian Downs, a network spokesperson, said. Contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Medical and Allied Health Staff Code of Behavior Medical Staff Bylaws ( Please log into the LVHN Employee Network to view) Professional Practice Evaluation Policy and Procedure Medical Staff Information: Medical Staff Citizenship Requirements Allied Health Professional Information: Advanced Practice Clinicians Charter Christine must clear you for your return to work, and she will do so depending on your particular condition and using the most updated CDC guidance at the time. 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). 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). Visit the Vaccination Resources page on the Coronavirus Information Center for more information about Lehigh's policies. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.organd notify her of your condition. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Visit Call 610-861-8080, select 5 to bypass menu and enter extension 21237. CDC guidance reported that in most cases cleaning alone removes virus particles on surfaces. The new location is inside the Coordinated Health-Hazle Township facility at 26 Station Circle, Hazle Township. We know that COVID-19 can cause long-term health problems, even in mild cases. This benefit is available to all Lehigh staff and faculty, regardless of whether they participate in the University's medical insurance plans. If you fall into the CDC-defined category of people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to a, , you may submit a confidential request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting these forms through email at, 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. 8. We rely on the support of our subscribers to fund our journalism as we continue to cover the coronavirus crisis. LVHNs deadline for non-union employees to comply with the mandate was Nov. 12 and the deadline for union employees at LVH-Hazelton, LVH-Pocono and LVH-Schuylkill was Nov. 30. At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. Where possible, HVAC systems that introduce fresh air into the buildings will have the percentage of outdoor air settings adjusted to maximize the amount of fresh air movement through the building. @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u So will clinics at LVHN hospitals in Hazleton and Pottsville. Scheduling can be completed through MyLVHN, with the MyLVHN app, or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. 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). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org . 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. . To schedule an appointment for the Dorney Park drive-through clinic or any other LVHN COVID-19 vaccination event, people in Phase 1A can sign in to MyLVHN. Love Where You Work! Check with your local vaccine provider for their processes and requirements. HUMo0Wh`na0o5V m(T8v,")hi4, [Yp^na\AFJP,Z.(.LUaXX~W1wn-@=+6VA# 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. Wear a mask in your home when youre unable to socially distance. That was the date Miller received his first dose of either a placebo (inactive substance) or the vaccine being produced by Pfizer and partner BioNTech to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Given the unpredictability of COVID in general and delta in particular, our best defense is universal vaccination, the sooner the better, Zurlo said. This applies if you live on or off campus. >Students living on- or off-campus who believe they have symptoms in line with COVID-19should call the Lehigh Health and Wellness Center (HWC) at 610-758-3870. Please also note that while widespread vaccination will provide for substantive protection from the virus, individuals may choose to wear masks or practice other health and safety protocols in various settings. Do I need to show a negative COVID test to end isolation? Lehigh Valley Health Network has opened seven new patient testing centers and will soon open an eighth amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Both. COVID-19 Help Center As your health partner, LVHN provides all the COVID-19 information you need in one place. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. Faculty or staff members with symptoms should stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. What do I do if I have COVID-19-related concerns about returning to campus? The clinic is open 8 . Any individual, even if asymptomatic, who wishes to get tested can do so for a fee through Vault Health (the company we have contracted with for student arrival testing) or through a number of other providers. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptoms and for those experiencing symptoms. Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. 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. Normal cleaning processes will resume. Experts continue to study the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but early research has not shown cause for concern. Some readers want LVHN to reveal department of employee with coronavirus. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class.

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