As the coronavirus continues to affect our state and local area, we would like to provide our weekly update on how the virus is impacting Luthercare communities and offer a few important reminders to our residents, families and the greater community.
Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our residents and team members. Luthercare team members have been on the frontlines of this virus. We are grateful for their dedication and the care, service and compassion they provide each day.
The impact of COVID-19 at Luther Acres Healthcare Center in Lititz is that 47 residents have tested positive or are presumed positive, 29 have passed away and 18 have recovered. We currently have no active cases among residents in the Healthcare Center, Personal Care or Independent Living at Luther Acres. It is important to note that presumed cases are based on consultation with the resident’s physician and our medical director. If we learn, following testing, that any presumed case was in fact negative, our numbers will be revised.
We have had 34 Luther Acres Healthcare Center employees test positive; 32 have been cleared to return to work, following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
There are currently no active cases in residents or staff members at St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia or at Spang Crest in Lebanon.
We continue to adhere to strict protocols and continue taking aggressive measures to protect our communities from exposure to COVID-19. Luthercare is adhering to the CDC’s Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings. We are working closely with our medical director and following the guidelines of the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Our Luther Acres Healthcare Center leadership team continues to have regular communications with representatives from the state Department of Health and their infection control consultants, ECRI.
Luthercare will continue to provide weekly public updates to our website and social media pages. To view our COVID-19 updates and other Luthercare announcements, please visit the “News” page of our website (https://www.luthercare.org/news/) or click on the banner on our homepage at https://www.luthercare.org/. Per the guidelines for reporting COVID-19 data from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), if any newly confirmed cases or clusters of three or more residents or staff with respiratory symptoms occur within 72 hours, the residents and their representatives will be notified through personal phone calls, email and One-Call Now, our automated phone messaging system.
Luthercare also records daily updates to our Coronavirus Hotline. The hotline can be accessed by dialing 717-627-5533.
We will continue to be open and transparent with our residents, team members and the greater community. Doing so is consistent with our mission, To reflect Christ’s love through service to others, and with our core values: integrity, compassion, teamwork, connection and learning. At the same time, our organization will continue to protect our residents’ privacy and personal health information as required under HIPAA regulations.
We would like to express our gratitude to our residents and their loved ones for your patience, encouragement and understanding during this challenging time. The outpouring of support and positive messages we’ve received have been overwhelming! Please continue to keep Luthercare in your thoughts and prayers.
About Luthercare:
Founded in 1949, Luthercare, a social ministry organization affiliated with the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America, is a leading provider of independent, personal care and skilled care residences in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. Luthercare operates Luther Acres, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lititz, Pa.; Spang Crest, a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing and memory support personal care community in Lebanon, Pa.; and St. John’s Herr Estate, an independent living and personal care community in Columbia, Pa. Additionally, Luthercare operates four PA Keystone Stars-accredited child care and early learning centers in Lancaster, Marietta, Reamstown and Annville. Luthercare, a pioneer in Child Care Programs, also offers a Mentoring Program, which aids home-based child care providers in Lebanon and Lancaster counties.