Lehigh medical benefits include behavioral health coverage. The one at its hospital in East Stroudsburg will close on February 3. Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. 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. Good Shepherd is based in Allentown. We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ]oeaf4{hM>,O G!&B{] 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. >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. 23504. CDC guidance reported that in most cases cleaning alone removes virus particles on surfaces. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. Once youve found out youve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. On Wednesday, Pfizer said that the initial two shots of its vaccine appear significantly less effective against omicron but that a booster dose may offer important protection. What happens if a faculty member gets sick and cannot teach? 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. 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. Lehigh Valley Health Network is headquartered in Salisbury Township. St. Lukes leadership will also reassess the deferral requests and may update or alter guidance later based on new information. LVHN is providing free COVID-19 screenings online and by phone. Some readers who have been at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street in . 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. LVHN is closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Supervisors are expected to address these issues with their direct reports. While Occupational Health services are vital, taking employees off the worksite is always an investment in time. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfe or Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. We are the region's largest employer and the health care provider of choice for more people in the region. 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. Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. The remaining employees received either permanent medical or religious exemptions or temporary exemptions due to having natural immunity after contracting COVID-19. - 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. Be part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. Will the university share who is vaccinated and unvaccinated? Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. LVHN also now accepts walk-ins at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic-Northampton Crossings located at 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County. Getting vaccinated has far fewer risks than catching COVID-19. 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). About 97% of current LVHN employees are fully vaccinated Brian Downs, a network spokesperson, said. Mar 18, 2020 at 8:00 am. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Read more on the CDC website. 426 0 obj <>stream The situation is not as dire as last years surge, before the public had any access to COVID-19 vaccines, but the roughly 60% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent hot spots. Click here.). Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. 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. On Friday, Feb. 3, LVHN will . 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. 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. Do I need to show a negative COVID test to end isolation? Keep up with the latest info on corona in Munich (in German) 0. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The health network. Another 1.2 million have received a booster dose. @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.org. Our journalism needs your support. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants decreases over time. LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. Can we keep it if it makes us feel more comfortable? 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. Lehighs faculty and staff are central to the universitys function of supporting students and elevating its research and educational mission. December 8, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials. 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. The cold weather, Thanksgiving gatherings and a big rebound in holiday travel are all believed to be playing a role, along with public weariness with pandemic restrictions. Lukes infectious disease experts are following the science, and our policies are based on the science, Kennedy said. f;Ik0yDrEHP lM wl'9y $ mad` Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In addition to the health network's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Nester said LVHN remains focused on delivering the highest quality care to people in each community it serves. At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. Some of the more common onsite services performed include: 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). Talk to your healthcare professional if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. 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. In mid-November, following a slew of lawsuits a judge in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Bidens mandate for employees at large companies. Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? Yes. If you have any questions on your system or space please contact your building manager to review. On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Example: staying home and out of the public. Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . Health Department staff* are available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 233 96650. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . Contact us For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. The dividers at these locations will remain in place at present. I am a staff or faculty member. 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. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.organd notify her of your condition. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? Check with your local vaccine provider for their processes and requirements. Where can I find more information about boosters? u[5Yv\6=tcMM\$~.,5J2|-.-mgSV>~;c++a +^Rb bdk%s_x;GpV 0w/zu88@? 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). More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. LVHN was the last to. endstream endobj 393 0 obj <>stream What should I do? Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services. 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. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. If the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. 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. 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. 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. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, Job Placement Success & Postgraduate Education, Medical Information Request & Verification Form, COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty, 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request, Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. Under the executive orders, federal employees, federal contractors and health care workers at facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funds would also have been required to get vaccinated and will not have an option for weekly testing. We have prepared guidance on what to do if you are feeling sick and suspect you have COVID-19. Click here to download the document. P.C. 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. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org and notify her of your condition. %%EOF In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. To access these services under Lehighs medical plan call the phone number listed on the back of your Capital Blue Cross Card. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. The CDC offers more guidance on boosters, including eligibility, on the CDC website and Vaccines.gov provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. Thank you for your interest in Lehigh Valley Health Network. 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. .block-reference .header { padding-top: 40px; }. Fewer than 1% of LVHNs nearly 20,000 employees chose to leave rather than get vaccinated. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated that, unlike vaccinations, employers cannot mandate antibody tests because they are not reliable. 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. 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. If the instructor becomes symptomatic or receives a positive COVID test result, the instructor should shift the class to remote instruction until the instructor receives a confirmed negative test result or, in the case of a positive test, is cleared to return to work. I received a bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic test - what should I do? Filter changes will continue to follow ASHRAE guidelines. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
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