endstream endobj startxref Quarantine: separates and restricts the movements of those who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick. 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. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. 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. Employee Health - LVHN-CC . 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. Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. Another 1.2 million have received a booster dose. u[5Yv\6=tcMM\$~.,5J2|-.-mgSV>~;c++a +^Rb bdk%s_x;GpV 0w/zu88@? LVHN front-line health care workers receive COVID-19 vaccine. Aug. 17SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill Haven Area School District wasted no time in putting the new Lehigh Valley Health Network Sports Performance Center to use. St. Lukes and LVHN announced Aug. 9 that they were implementing a vaccine mandate for all employees, as well as everyone who conducts business in those health care organizations. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. St. Lukes on Wednesday tightened its visitation policy, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases largely driven by the unvaccinated population (that) is placing an enormous burden on our regions health care system, according to Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, vice president of medical and academic affairs and chief emeritus of infectious diseases. K(*piY^9%w'\lzInog-EV]Yb|^, vmsU#O!Hi3@O;\l!k(p!-} iw{_6E+N 4-+3O]xSHwxu@W3Kva]0([@H[CP |?C wo x>\.8CU`DEFq4,X0^ncwQhEGl,6.l/5FQO.,H9hN>z/e}NZeK"HMCleRcV]Ng&mN >E If you received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 to prevent you from getting sick, you should wait 30 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Can a professor decide to make their class remote if they are concerned about positive cases in their class? 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. Free lunches. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Nearly all LVHN employees complied with COVID-19 vaccine mandate, 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. LVHN was the last to. If addressing the concern directly is not an option, or if you are not satisfied with the response you receive or the behavior doesnt stop, you may report the concern by completing this form athttp://lehigh.edu/go/covidreporting. About URMC. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. St. Lukes is based in the Bethlehem area. 0. We look forward to working with you for a safe and healthful workplace. So will clinics at LVHN hospitals in Hazleton and Pottsville. "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 I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? The claim: Employees who are fired for refusing a vaccine are eligible for unemployment benefits The highly transmissible delta coronavirus variant has caused a nationwide spike in cases,. 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. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. ML _f0Ie6EIopY}fCul*( No. If you have any questions on your system or space please contact your building manager to review. 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. 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. Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). 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. The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. Isolation typically lasts 5 days after a positive test result, with required mask-wearing for 5 additional days. If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. 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. 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. At these locations, we will screen, assess, test and keep you safe. How is Lehigh cleaning classroom spaces, offices, and common areas of buildings? However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfeor Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. Isolation:separates those who are sick with COVID-19 from those who do not have it to prevent the spread of the virus. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. The final deadline passed as the calendar flipped to December. 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. Vaccines are a modern miracle and a triumph of modern medicine and unquestionably have proven to be extremely effective.. You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). All rights reserved (About Us). Contact a LVHN employee health nurse. Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. CDC guidance reported that in most cases cleaning alone removes virus particles on surfaces. Normal cleaning processes will resume. Some staff members may still feel uncomfortable coming to campus due to concerns about their health. Visit the Vaccination Resources page on the Coronavirus Information Center for more information about Lehigh's policies. We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. %PDF-1.7 % There are . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The CDC offers more guidance on boosters, including eligibility, on the CDC website and Vaccines.gov provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. St. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. Click here.). You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Faculty and Staff Who Test Positive for COVID-19, Flu and Shingles Vaccine Benefits for Lehigh Medical Plan Participants, Expanding Access To Medical Insurance - The Employer Mandate, Indexed Dollar Figures for Employee Benefit Plans, LVAIC Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Program, Lehigh Undergraduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, Lehigh Graduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, LVAIC Spouse/Partner Tuition Exchange Benefit, Lehigh Undergraduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, Lehigh Graduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, ConsumerMedical Expert Medical Opinion Service, Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Food Service, Housekeeping, and Landscaping Employment Opportunities, Cash for Colleagues Employee Referral Program, Completing the Fully Remote Workplace Arrangement Request, Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Using Booking and Events to Schedule Interviews, Accessing and Registering for Learning Opportunities, Canceling or Changing a Workshop Registration, Guide for Self-Reported Training in PageUp, Smoking Cessation Resources for Benefits Eligible Employees, Lehigh University Protection of Minors Policy, Information for Directors of Programs Involving Minors, Annual Security & Annual Fire Safety Report, COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty. You can start here and watch the video that provides guidance about your next steps. 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. Click here.). LVHN is providing free COVID-19 screenings online and by phone. 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. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. Our journalism needs your support. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated that, unlike vaccinations, employers cannot mandate antibody tests because they are not reliable. There are limitations, though. @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u Because of that,our Occupational Medicine clinics areable to offer onsite services where the testing, physicals, vaccinations, and more are performed at your work site, thereby reducing loss of productivity. Our partnership includes anLVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager,Christine WolfeRN,who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Read more on the CDC website. What are the immediate side effects? Faculty or staff members with symptoms should stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. Medical Information Request and Verification Form. Demand for the vaccine with recent approval of boosters for all adults and shots for elementary school children has been high amid the surge and the emergence of the omicron variant, whose dangers are still not fully understood. 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. . Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) remains vigilant as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, and we are committed to being your partner in health in these unprecedented times. endstream endobj 393 0 obj <>stream Signs are downloadable for individual printing on the Resources page of this website. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, eating utensils, cups and towels. If you have any challenges scheduling, or need to contact us regarding your COVID vaccination, please call us at : 833-LVHN-CVD (833-584-6283). 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). /@[ O COVID-19 Help Center As your health partner, LVHN provides all the COVID-19 information you need in one place. Health Matters Blog; Services Listing; Pay Bill; Health Encyclopedia; Find a Provider; For Referring Physicians at the University of Rochester; . Weekly testing is required for those who are exempted. LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. 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. What it means for you when you come to LVHN. For more information on Lehighs COVID-19 related health services partnership with LVHN, follow this link. 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. 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, contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe,RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. In August, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network made the shots a requirement, setting individual deadlines for employees to get vaccinated, get an exemption or quit. Good Shepherd is based in Allentown. 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. 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. 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). If you don't feel well: Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. We recognize this is a difficult time for faculty, staff and families. Get detailed information about COVID-19, and vaccine safety and effectiveness at LVHN.org/vaccineFAQ, SLUHN.org and goodshepherdrehab.org. We rely on the support of our subscribers to fund our journalism as we continue to cover the coronavirus crisis. On Friday, Feb. 3, LVHN will . 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. 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 All HVAC systems have received, and will continue to receive, regularly scheduled preventive maintenance. Contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network. Refer to our isolation and quarantining protocol for what to expect if you live on or off campus. Contact us For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. 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. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Downs said. The partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager who will serve as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees with any health concerns related to COVID-19. 6DGamY'N{o)Z{aG>;-p~ t{@m 2R{8yrT[m'BNfk34Yn?gej &e"FL8O)x{Ko yIWk.x,Jj!iWE@`. To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) for occupational health services and medical consultation for planning purposes. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions. Once youve found out youve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. 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. The hotline is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30. I'm an international student and I am not eligible to get the booster in my home country. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. 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. For more information, visit the Human Resources website. 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. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. 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. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. From low to high risk, the levels are: green, yellow, orange and red. Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. 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. Some staff members may still feel uncomfortable coming to campus due to concerns about their health. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Caitlin Leidy at crl215@lehigh.edu or Patricia Florkowski at pjg209@lehigh.edu. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Dr. Alex Benjamin . Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. St. Lukes leadership will also reassess the deferral requests and may update or alter guidance later based on new information. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Both. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. 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. Experts continue to study the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but early research has not shown cause for concern. Details will be forthcoming. LVHNs announced its mandate alongside St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network on Aug. 9. Speak with a nurse to assess COVID and other symptoms, answer your questions, and discuss your testing options. f;Ik0yDrEHP lM wl'9y $ mad` "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. 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. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. 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. 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.