Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. For more information on Lehighs COVID-19 related health services partnership with LVHN, more guidance on boosters, including eligibility, on the CDC website. How is Lehigh cleaning classroom spaces, offices, and common areas of buildings? 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. Contact Christine Wolfe, RN, the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network at 610-861-8080 ext. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. St. Lukes and Good Shepherds vaccine mandates had earlier deadlines than LVHN and those networks also reported success from their mandates. 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. Is the University still looking at air changes and ventilation? During this quarantine, you should monitor your health for any symptoms. 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. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. Isolation:separates those who are sick with COVID-19 from those who do not have it to prevent the spread of the virus. Visit the Vaccination Resources page on the Coronavirus Information Center for more information about Lehigh's policies. 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. 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. Out of nearly 40,000 workers across all three networks, only a few hundred chose to resign. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org . Jan 20, 2023. All HVAC systems have received, and will continue to receive, regularly scheduled preventive maintenance. 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 attributed to Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO Brian A. Nester, St. Lukes University Health Network CEO Rick Anderson Good Shepherd Rehabilitation CEO Michael Spigel. Inpatient Physiatry | Lehigh Valley Health Network - lvhn.org LVHN employees, patients and community members participating in COVID From low to high risk, the levels are: green, yellow, orange and red. Fewer than 1% of LVHNs nearly 20,000 employees chose to leave rather than get vaccinated. "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. Be part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. For faculty and staff, there are other forms of vaccination proof that may also be used for employer documentation. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. International students who cannot get boosted where they are located should schedule a booster as soon as they return to the United States. LVHN, St. Luke's, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to require St. Lukes leadership will also reassess the deferral requests and may update or alter guidance later based on new information. 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. 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. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health siteor Lehigh's HWC site for lists of local testing resources. St. Email us From low to high risk, the levels are: green, yellow, orange and red. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Weekly testing is required for those who are exempted. Lukes infectious disease experts are following the science, and our policies are based on the science, Kennedy said. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. If you are living on campus, the HWC will assist with determining if you need to be relocated to on-campus isolation housing and the provisions for how you will receive care and support during the time you are isolating. 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. 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. Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. 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. 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. 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,. 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. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I received a bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic test - what should I do? But not all infectious disease experts agree on this. . ML _f0Ie6EIopY}fCul*( 4T@kR[4\P! COVID-19 Contacts | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center Employee Health - LVHN-CC . 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. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment - Lehigh Valley Health Network Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? The nurse case manager will facilitate 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. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Some local health care workers say they won't roll up their sleeves for 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. For students who are experiencing symptoms, we have partnered with the Lehigh Valley Health Network as a supplemental resource to provide access to their 24/7 nurse triage line (1-888-402-LVHN). Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. >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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, eating utensils, cups and towels. Good Shepherd is based in Allentown. Disinfection will be required in high risk/high contact areas like eatery entrances, the health center and testing areas. Hours: 24/7 Not seeing an appointment time that works for you? 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. 426 0 obj <>stream Contact your school or place of employment about specific COVID-19 guidelines before returning. Medical Information Request and Verification Form. Where possible, HVAC systems that introduce fresh air into the buildings will have the percentage of outdoor air settings adjusted to maximize the amount of fresh air movement through the building. 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. Sodexo Manager 3, Regional Operations Support Job in Allentown, PA LVHN front-line health care workers receive COVID-19 vaccine. Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. Lehigh Valley Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists & other Lehigh Valley Health Network doctors are making waves on a global scale. 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. The university will not share confidential health information. Details will be forthcoming. You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). 1.28.22: Update from the COVID Response Team - Lehigh University Our journalism needs your support. 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). COVID-19 Help Center - Lehigh Valley Health Network LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. Concentra has acquired LVHNs occupational health business inBethlehemandAllentown. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. LVHN Sports Performance Center at Schuylkill Haven: Nothing like it 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. Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. Remember that if you receive a positive test result from testing conducted outside of the HWC,you must report your result by uploading it to thePatient Portal. Hospital Chain Won't Require Employees Who Had COVID-19 to Get If you want your COVID-19 vaccination quickly, sign up for or enroll in a MyLVHN account. hb```)ry ae`aq%TnPm[=``j`j`@S4Bb "EL0+0ez7F|OggfFu$f -"H mYg* ]A/ Available research appears to show that those who have natural immunity and get their shots are better off than those who rely on natural immunity alone. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.organd notify her of your condition. What should I do? Get detailed information about COVID-19, and vaccine safety and effectiveness at LVHN.org/vaccineFAQ, SLUHN.org and goodshepherdrehab.org. LVHN will provide vaccinations to employees through employee health services and to all personnel through designated LVHN COVID-19 clinic locations. 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. Experts continue to study the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but early research has not shown cause for concern. Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. %%EOF 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.