Westmoreland Manor employees get hazard pay as they continue to test for coronavirus

56 minutes ago

Westmoreland Manor workers are receiving additional salaries while the county-owned special nursing homes and coronavirus pandemics are skyrocketing.

Commissioner Sean Kertez said members and non-members of the Hempfield facility will receive risk compensation as six members of the Pennsylvania Security Force continue to support testing for virus infections. Commissioner Doug Chew said salaries would begin 14 days after the most recent positive resident from the day the first resident was found to be infected with the virus.

20 residents and 2 staff Tested positive September 19th, during regular test.Since then, a total of 47 residents and 23 employees Tested positive Because of the virus, Commissioner Gina Seriri said.of National Guard was requested on Thursday Six members arrived on Sunday to take over the staff and residents’ tests. She said the guards would present the assessments and recommendations to the commissioners after the test results were returned.

“We welcome any help we can get, and we certainly encourage them to stay,” said Seriri. Prior to the introduction of Guard, administrative staff were testing, but now Guard is not only testing, but also intervening and doing other necessary work to help staff focus on the resident. I can help you. “

According to Seriri, the first positive etiquette was a contract service nurse.

The surge in infections in special nursing homes has been on the rise with new covid-19 cases in the county, increasing from 79 cases throughout the first week of September to 96 cases last week. This happened during the same period as the number of states as a whole dropped slightly from 5,188 to 5,070.

State officials said it was difficult to determine if the last 14 days of travel, parties, or certain large rallies had affected the local surge.

State Health spokesman Nate Wardle uses contact tracing to track the spread of the virus and identify the site of infection, which is hampered by a lack of response in people who test positive for covid-19. He said he was. According to Wardle, when asked what kind of business or large gathering they participated in last week’s 14 days, less than half of the respondents answered.

“It is imperative that people answer the phone when the case investigator calls and provide these clinical professionals with complete and complete information. People come from all over the world to attend large meetings. It is important to remember that cases in large meetings may not be in the meeting county, as cases are often identified by country of residence, “Wardle said. Email.

Authorities warn that attending an indoor rally of more than 25 people or an outdoor rally of more than 250 people without social distance could be a stage for virus infection.

County officials will get the latest information on the latest test results in Manor on Wednesday to determine if the continued presence of the National Guard is required. Residents who test positive will be moved to the designated unit and employees will need to be quarantined at home.

No cases of coronavirus have been reported among residents in a 408-bed nursing home prior to this month. Four employees, including two managers, tested positive before the current outbreak.

With 336 residents and more than 400 staff, the Manor uses 8,400 gowns daily, so county officials are looking for personal protective equipment.

On Monday, the commissioner approved a new one-year contract with Maximum Healthcare Staffing Services.

“We strive to have as much access as possible to staff who need good manners,” said Chu.

The second contract addendum outlines a new payment schedule with Dedicated Nursing Associates, which has a long-standing contract with Manor from September 22nd to October 10th. During that period, workers will be $ 15 more per hour.

Manner worker Earned a hazard pay before From March 18th to 27th.

Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Lenatta at 724-837-5374, [email protected] Or via Twitter ..