Welsh Mountain Home is concerned for the ongoing health and safety of our residents and team members. We have closely monitored information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Pennsylvania Department of Health and others to prepare for the COVID-19 virus. Some of the many steps we have taken to prepare are noted below.
April 24, 2020 we learned that a team member tested positive for COVID-19. The team member last worked at WMH on April 19 and is currently self-quarantined at home. The team member was not symptomatic while working and followed all precautionary guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Public health officials have been notified and we are following procedures recommended by the CDC to contain any possible spread. We are following the Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines and have been in contact with them to assess the risk to other residents and team members through the development of a timeline for this individual and tracing his/her possible contact. Those who have had prolonged exposure have been notified individually and will be isolated for two weeks.
We want to make residents, their families, our dedicated staff, and our community aware and reassure everyone that we are acting on this fluid situation. We will continue to actively monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Please know that the health and safety of our residents and team members is our primary concern.
All team members continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. These include strict handwashing procedures, wearing facemasks and other PPE like gowns and gloves as appropriate.
With the guidance of the CDC, CMS and the PA Department of Health, here are some of the many ways Welsh Mountain Home has prepared for COVID-19:
Track all trends in illness – staff and residents
Restrict visitation
Cancel group activities
Post signage
Conduct screenings
Connect loved ones through phone and video calls
Develop a critical staffing plan to fill roles when team members become ill
Establish policies for returning to work after COVID-19
Prepare isolation rooms for residents who may test positive
Create checklists to conduct contact tracing for a COVID-19-positive case
We are blessed by the support and encouragement of the residents and family members, board members and supporters who are part of the Welsh Mountain Home family.
Residents and family members may contact Jenny Sheckells with questions or concerns at jsheckells@landis.org or 717.381.3573.
Mona Frey
Executive Director
Welsh Mountain Home
Evon Bergey
VP of Community Initiatives
Landis Communities
Larry Guengerich
Director of Organizational Communications & Church Relations
Landis Communities
(717) 381-3526 – Office
(717) 333-2826 – Cell
