For more information on Lehighs COVID-19 related health services partnership with LVHN, follow this link. Can a professor decide to make their class remote if they are concerned about positive cases in their class? P.C. \@[gp7~Ijm]@.LHW@s;>\Cb+n2ift3tK[-gOGFJ*E=-5ZrrAxQ!5o95=-B ! .~ While we have had good responses so far, we will send the information to Capital Blue Cross with a request to review the claim for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that the claim will be reprocessed and paid. The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15. Medical Information Request and Verification Form. Do I need to show a negative COVID test to end isolation? Lehigh Valley Health Network has opened seven new patient testing centers and will soon open an eighth amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. All rights reserved (About Us). LVHNs announced its mandate alongside St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network on Aug. 9. The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. If you fall into the CDC-defined category of people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to a serious underlying medical condition, you may submit a confidential request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting these forms through email at [email protected]. You may also consult with Human Resources at. 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,. Disinfection will be required in high risk/high contact areas like eatery entrances, the health center and testing areas. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19,immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. Good Shepherd is based in Allentown. What should I do? 426 0 obj <>stream How is Lehigh cleaning classroom spaces, offices, and common areas of buildings? How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? If you test positive for COVID, contact the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. endstream endobj startxref But some medical research shows that natural immunity may offer some benefits vaccines dont. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. To access these services under Lehighs medical plan call the phone number listed on the back of your Capital Blue Cross Card. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. While an individual always has the option of sharing their vaccination status personally, the university will not share someone's vaccination status or personal information. 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. Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. Only six Good Shepherd employees chose to resign. 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. Why is Lehigh requiring COVID vaccination and boosters for students, faculty and staff? You should contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions. Steve Novak may be reached at [email protected]. The Morning Call. COVID-19 Help Center As your health partner, LVHN provides all the COVID-19 information you need in one place. We look forward to working with you for a safe and healthful workplace. 0. >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. 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. Read more on the CDC website. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Our journalism needs your support. 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. 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). Faculty should indicate to students how they plan to support students who need to be in isolation. In both instances, arguments were made that plaintiffs should be exempt from mandates because they had already been infected with COVID-19. Staff may use any type of paid leave to accommodate the need to stay home or leave campus early. - 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. Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. In addition, widespread vaccination supports the health and safety of the campus community and helps us to achieve and sustain a safe and successful semester with more normal activity on campus, including in-person classes, in-person events, full density, and other elements of the full campus experience. f;Ik0yDrEHP lM wl'9y $ mad` At these locations, we will screen, assess, test and keep you safe. Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, recent study by researchers at Rockefeller University, more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19, centers for disease control and prevention, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Do I need to get a booster even if I am fully vaccinated and/or tested positive for COVID? Easterly said most employers at the moment arent allowing employees to defer vaccination because of natural immunity but the situation is developing and that could change. Some staff members may still feel uncomfortable coming to campus due to concerns about their health. Can I have copies of the safety reminder signs to put up in my office? If LVHN employees covered by this policy are vaccinated outside of LVHN clinics, LVPG practices or Employee Health Services, they must provide evidence of immunization to The CDC offers more guidance on boosters, including eligibility, on the CDC website and Vaccines.gov provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. While Occupational Health services are vital, taking employees off the worksite is always an investment in time. Almost everyone who works at the Lehigh Valleys biggest hospital networks tens of thousands of health care employees has now been vaccinated against COVID-19. Why is Lehigh requiring a COVID booster shot for all eligible students, faculty, and staff? No. All members of the community are encouraged to treat one another with respect. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. In July, LVHN was the only regional health network to become part of the Pfizer booster shot trial, again, leading the way in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Employee Health Services Hours and Locations . I'm an international student and I am not eligible to get the booster in my home country. 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. What happens if I dont comply with the faculty/staff COVID vaccination requirement? "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 Brian A. Nester, DO,. who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. About URMC. 0 If you are covered under one of the Universitys medical plans and if you, or any of your covered dependents, have received a COVID-19 diagnostic test for which you received a bill for the visit and/or test, and would like to have our office request that Capital Blue Cross review the claim, please complete the following Google Form: 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request. 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. International students who cannot get boosted where they are located should schedule a booster as soon as they return to the United States. Speak with a nurse to assess COVID and other symptoms, answer your questions, and discuss your testing options. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). 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. There are no laws governing this kind of exemption like there are for medical or religious exemptions, he said. 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 . When in doubt about when you are able to end isolation, always follow the guidance provided by the HWC (for students) or Lehighs LVHN occupational health nurse (for faculty and staff). Phone: 610 -402-1880 Fax: 610-402-1203 LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. Be part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. Click here.). What are the current campus status and protocols? If you receive a positive test from an outside source, be sure to let the Health and Wellness Center know and to upload your results on your health center portal. St. Lukes and Good Shepherds vaccine mandates had earlier deadlines than LVHN and those networks also reported success from their mandates. On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 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 for medical consultation for planning purposes. Following that deadline, St. Lukes officials announced that 17,000 employees had complied with the mandate and 155 employees resigned rather than get the vaccine. Visit You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). No. 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. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. During the semester, the Lehigh COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily during the week with the most current case information. Signs are downloadable for individual printing on the Resources page of this website. 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. 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. Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. LVHN also said patients who have recently had COVID can defer boosters for at least three months following their diagnosis, as the illness can provide a significant immune system boost. Is there support for University staff and faculty (and their dependents) for mental health needs during this period? Scheduling can be completed through MyLVHN, with the MyLVHN app, or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). Once you've found out you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. 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. 4T@kR[4\P! That's the message from Lehigh Valley Health Network, according to a news release. 86N{L.=8kZ'=Bj,+=L`+zA ^,`5$gx;v4Osxc? z> If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptoms and for those experiencing symptoms. If you test positive for COVID, contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. On Friday, Feb. 3, LVHN will . For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at [email protected]. The second dose is more likely to produce side effects than the first. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. Lastly, because new medical research has yet to be evaluated or peer-reviewed, it should not be used to guide clinical practice, according to medRxiv, the preprint server the study was posted on. There are limitations, though. 23504. For example, because someone is choosing to wear a mask (beyond any university requirements), complete the symptom checker, or complete other protocols is not necessarily indicative of their vaccination status. %PDF-1.7 % 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. [email protected] notify her of your condition. Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. And Good Shepherd, which gave employees until Oct. 15, reported a 99% compliance rate among its workforce of about 1,200 people, including 71 who received exemptions or deferments. 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. Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. LVHN was the last to. 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. Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. 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. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. endstream endobj 395 0 obj <>stream 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. for lists of local testing resources. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at [email protected] and staff should contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Where can I find information about vaccination? Faculty and staff must continue to monitor personal health for symptoms and risk of exposure. 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. We are limiting plexiglass to areas marked by frequent transactions or similar places of high interaction. Approximately 7.6 million Pennsylvanians 59% of the states population are fully vaccinated, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recently corrected the data to weed out duplicate reports. About 97% of current LVHN employees are fully vaccinated Brian Downs, a network spokesperson, said. 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. You may also consult with Human Resources at [email protected] to determine whether your circumstances may be addressed under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Note to supervisors and department chairs: Staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. %%EOF More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, available to health professionals for about a year, a milestone of 200 million people fully vaccinated, cases and hospitalizations are spiking again, largely driven by the unvaccinated population. What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? This benefit is available to all Lehigh staff and faculty, regardless of whether they participate in the University's medical insurance plans. Isolation:separates those who are sick with COVID-19 from those who do not have it to prevent the spread of the virus. Quarantine: separates and restricts the movements of those who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick. Natural infection is much more likely to result in serious sickness or death, whereas a vaccine protects against serious illness or death from COVID-19 infection, he said. Can faculty or staff request information from students about their vaccination status? The new location is inside the Coordinated Health-Hazle Township facility at 26 Station Circle, Hazle Township. This position could last for up to 12 months or more and will provide an opportunity to train and highlight your skills working with multiple directors/general . Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for 10 days, or seven days if theyve tested negative for the virus. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September. 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. For more information on these requirements and for additional health guidance, please visit our Vaccination Resources Center. Lehigh students, faculty and staff should follow the guidance provided by the Health and Wellness Center (for students) and Lehighs occupational health nursefrom LVHN(for faculty and staff). If you or your child have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults or children (MIS-A or MIS-C), consider delaying vaccination until you have recovered from being sick and for 90 days after the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.. The federal COVID-19 response excludes up to 106 million workers from paid leave protections The end result is that a legislative package with the stated intent of protecting the physical and. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment Online scheduling is currently disabled Please call us at 888-402-LVHN (5846) to schedule an appointment. The one at its hospital in East Stroudsburg will close on February 3. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. endstream endobj 390 0 obj <>/Metadata 34 0 R/Outlines 95 0 R/Pages 387 0 R/StructTreeRoot 102 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 391 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 392 0 obj <>stream 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 How is noncompliance with the booster requirement addressed? You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. What is the current status of COVID-19 cases on campus? The university will not share confidential health information. Contact us For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at [email protected]. What happens if a faculty member gets sick and cannot teach? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. However, the study has multiple limitations. 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. 412 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[389 38 428 1]/Info 388 0 R/Length 116/Prev 381408/Root 390 0 R/Size 429/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream What are the restrictions on events, meetings and indoor and outdoor gatherings? If you have questions, please call Employee Health Services at the number below. provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. In addition, LVHN produced the following video that introduces you to the care team behind the partnership and shares additional information about when and how to obtain services from Lehigh's employee health nurse case manager. Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September, The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. What COVID vaccines fulfill the university's vaccination requirement? Employee Health - LVHN-CC . Please do not send us any additional information other than what is requested in the form above. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. The university will not share confidential health information. No. While we encourage you to provide your name and contact information with this form so that the CRT may follow-up with you, if necessary, you may also submit this report anonymously. Working on Campus. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. St. Luke's and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer Some employers are considering allowing. The . Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? In addition, Lehigh's Employee Assistance Program (Integrated Behavioral Health) can be helpful for you and your dependents even if you don't participate in the Lehigh medical plan. 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 HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Will Lehigh's vaccine and booster requirements remain in place following the US Supreme Court's OSHA ruling?