The Wright Center Holds COVID-19 and Routine Vaccination Clinics The Wright Center for Community Health is holding Driving Better Health Mobile COVID-19 and Routine Vaccination Clinics in Lackawanna County in April, May and June from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location. Driving Better Health is a 34-foot mobile medical unit that brings high-quality health care services directly to the underserved communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. The mobile medical unit has been serving populations of special concern since 2020. It is regularly deployed to senior living centers, regional schools, homeless shelters and other community gathering spots. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available for anybody age 5 and up. A guardian must accompany patients who are younger than 17. Walk-up appointments are welcome depending on vaccine availability, but appointments are encouraged for the convenience of patients. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to schedule an appointment. The Wright Center for Community Health clinical staff will also offer COVID-19 testing and routine vaccines at the clinics. The Wright Center for Community Health is offering the following vaccination clinics in Lackawanna County: Thursday, April 28: The Recovery Bank, 120 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; Friday, April 29: Scranton Healthy Aging Campus, 1004 Jackson St., Scranton, (10 a.m.-noon); Thursday, May 12: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service, 441 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; Thursday, May 19 and Thursday, June 16: St. Francis Commons, 504 Penn Ave., Scranton; Friday, May 20 and Friday, June 17: Community Intervention Center, 445 N. 6th Ave., Scranton; Friday, May 27 and Friday, June 24: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton; Tuesday, June 14: Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St., Carbondale; Guests are asked to observe public safety measures, including masking and social distancing, during the clinic and bring identification and insurance cards.
Geisinger Loosens Visitation Policy for Hospitalized Adult Patients With the decrease in COVID case counts, Geisinger has removed the limit on the number of total visitors a hospitalized adult patient can have. However, only two may visit at a time. Emergency room patients may also have two visitors for the duration of their stay. Patients having a baby as well as patients under age 18 are allowed a total of four designated visitors with only two visiting at a time. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours for adult inpatients are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Patients having a baby or pediatric patients may have visitors 24/7. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Wright Center Will Hold COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic The Wright Center for Community Health’s 34-foot Driving Better Health mobile medical unit. The Wright Center for Community Health is holding a Driving Better Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at St. Francis Commons, 504 Penn Ave., Scranton, on Thursday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Driving Better Health is a 34-foot mobile medical unit that brings high-quality health care services directly to the underserved communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. The mobile medical unit has been serving populations of special concern since 2020. It is regularly deployed to senior living centers, regional schools, homeless shelters and other community gathering spots. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available for anybody age 5 and up. A guardian must accompany patients who are younger than 17. Walk-up appointments are welcome depending on vaccine availability, but appointments are encouraged for the convenience of patients. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to schedule an appointment. The Wright Center for Community Health clinical staff will also offer COVID-19 testing and flu vaccines at the clinic. Guests are asked to observe public safety measures, including masking and social distancing, during the clinic and bring identification and insurance cards.
The Wright Center to Hold COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic The Wright Center for Community Health is holding a Driving Better Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at St. Francis Food Pantry, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, on Friday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Driving Better Health is a 34-foot mobile medical unit that brings high-quality health care services directly to the underserved communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. The mobile medical unit has been serving populations of special concern since 2020. It is regularly deployed to senior living centers, regional schools, homeless shelters and other community gathering spots. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available for anybody age 5 and up. A guardian must accompany patients who are younger than 17. Walk-up appointments are welcome depending on vaccine availability, but appointments are encouraged for the convenience of patients. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to schedule an appointment. The Wright Center for Community Health clinical staff will also offer COVID-19 testing and flu vaccines at the clinic. Patients are asked to observe public safety measures, including masking and social distancing, during the clinic and bring identification and insurance cards.
Geisinger Updates Visitation Policy With COVID-19 cases slowly on the decline, adult inpatients at Geisinger will now be allowed two designated visitors rather than one, effective Wednesday, Feb. 9. While patients are allowed to designate two visitors, only one will be allowed per patient in the hospital room at a time. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Geisinger Encourages Ordering Free, At-Home COVID-19 Tests Geisinger is encouraging the community to take advantage of ordering free, at-home COVID-19 tests through the new federal website. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests at CovidTests.gov and have them shipped right to their doorstep. “COVID-19 testing is an essential tool in stopping the spread in our communities,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “Over-the-counter tests can save you a trip to your doctor’s office, an urgent care clinic or a testing center. In fact, if you have mild or no symptoms, at-home testing is your most convenient and safest testing option, especially with the long wait times at urgent care clinics and testing centers. Due to high demand and limited supply, the easiest way to find at-home tests is through CovidTests.gov.” Tests available through the federal website are rapid antigen at-home tests. They can be taken anywhere and give results within 30 minutes, with no lab drop-off required. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been around someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID — you meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for testing. If you have mild or no symptoms, at-home tests are an appropriate first step. If you test positive on your at-home test, follow the latest CDC guidance for isolation. If you test negative, you should test again within a few days with at least 24 hours between tests. Learn more in our Coronavirus Resource Center at geisinger.org/coronavirus.
MetroAction Launches COVID Recovery Loan Program APPLY MetroAction, Inc. – the non-profit, small business financing affiliate of the Chamber – announced its launch of the Lackawanna County COVID Recovery Loan Program, created to provide capital to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides low-interest loans to Lackawanna County businesses for working capital purposes. Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, lease or mortgage payments, utility payments, payroll, and other operational expenses. In addition, businesses can use the loan capital to purchase machinery, equipment, or technology that will allow the business to expand its operations. The program will provide loans up to $25,000 at 1% to Lackawanna County businesses adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. The term for the loans will be 36 months with a 3 month payment deferral. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose great challenges for our small business community. This fund was established to support Lackawanna County businesses with day-to-day operations as well as growth opportunities,” stated Jack Reager, MetroAction President. Funding is limited for this loan program. Applications will be funded on a first approved, first funded basis. Funding for this program was provided by Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE), Lackawanna County, the Hawk Family Foundation, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Businesses can apply and find additional program information on www.metroaction.org.
OSHA’S Vaccine and Testing Standards for Employers Businesses with 100 employees or more must comply with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). To meet the requirements of the ETS, employers must either: Establish a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, ORAdopt a policy requiring employees to get vaccinated or have them get regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work instead of getting vaccinated. As a trusted voice in the business community, please share this information with as many employers as possible to help them understand and meet this federal requirement. Federal Guidance On Dec. 18, 2021, OSHA released new guidance for the ETS after the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay on the standard. OSHA will not enforce any requirements under the ETS until Jan. 10, 2022. Additionally, the agency will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before Feb. 9, 2022, so long as an employer is exercising responsible, good faith efforts to meet the standard. Federal guidance states that employers can mandate vaccinations for staff. To support vaccinations, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) will continue to oversee a Commonwealth-wide vaccination program, and employers are invited to refer any staff seeking vaccination to one of the hundreds of Pennsylvania clinics providing vaccines. Readiness Guide for Pennsylvania Employers The Pennsylvania Department of Health has prepared a Readiness Guide for Pennsylvania Employers about the OSHA ETS. In the guide you will find detailed information about: Vaccinating employeesTesting employeesSupport from the PA Department of HealthList of U.S. employers with vaccine mandatesInformation on differences in NAAT and Antigen Tests Questions? If you have questions related to the OSHA ETS on COVID-19 vaccination and testing, visit the OSHA website or reference the Frequently Asked Questions.
Geisinger Limits Visitors, Sets Restrictions to Help Protect Against COVID Spread As COVID-19 cases continue to increase systemwide, Geisinger is limiting visitors for inpatient settings. Effective, Monday, Dec. 20, one visitor is permitted per hospitalized adult patient. Other family members, friends and general visitors will not be permitted at this time. In our system, one in four inpatients has COVID and we are reaching or exceeding capacity in some hospitals. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. Having fewer visitors allows our staff to focus on treating our patients. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Gerrity’s Offering $50 Gift Cards for COVID-19 Vaccine Gerrity’s Supermarkets will be holding three COVID-19 vaccine clinics over the next two weeks. Gerrity’s and Lackawanna County have partnered to offer $50 Gerrity’s gift cards to anyone who receives their first dose at one of the clinics. Lackawanna County will be sponsoring the cost of the gift cards for 100 recipients at each clinic.Gerrity’s pharmacists will be dispensing the Moderna vaccine to anyone who is 18 years of age or older. People can sign up by visiting gerritys.com. Joyce “Mom” Fasula, president of Gerrity’s, is very pleased to be able to offer the vaccines. “We are grateful to Lackawanna County for giving us the opportunity to offer these gift cards,” said Fasula. “We are so thrilled to have a positive impact on the health of our community.”The clinics will be held at the following locations:Keyser-Oak Shopping Center, Scranton on Wednesday, December 8702 S. Main Ave., Scranton on Wednesday, December 154015 Birney Ave., Moosic on Thursday, December 16
