Harrisburg, PA – In the May 2020 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 292 inspections of nursing homes, including 210 complaint investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, nine sanctions were finalized against nursing care facilities, which included the issuance of one provisional one license, and civil penalties totaling $83,000.

“We know that congregate care settings, like nursing homes, have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Levine said. “That is why we remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians by continuing to hold nursing home operators accountable, as necessary, to ensure they are providing safe care. If you see something at a nursing home that doesn’t seem right, we encourage you to speak up.”

Although annual inspections are not occurring at this time, extensions are in place according to guidance issued from the Center of Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). The majority of other inspections are still occurring but may be conducted virtually rather than onsite to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Individuals with complaints about a nursing home can file that complaint with the department in several ways. Complaints can be made anonymously by calling 1-800-254-5164, filling out the online complaint form, emailing c-ncomplai@pa.gov or sending the complaint in the mail to the department.

The number of long-term care facility resident cases, employee cases and deaths continues to decrease, as reflected in the long-term care facility graphs on the department’s LTCF data page.

The department recently announced an order directing testing at skilled nursing facilities. Facilities in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the department, which can provide assistance from a number of available resources on infection control, personal protective equipment, etc.

The inspections, called surveys, include information on nursing home patient-care and building inspections. If a facility is cited for not following regulations during the survey, it must submit a plan of correction that includes what will be done to fix the issue and a completion date. The department will conduct a surprise follow-up inspection to ensure the issue is resolved. Surveys are posted to the website 41 days after the survey is completed.

The department also may issue a sanction. Possible sanctions include a civil penalty, a ban on admissions, a license being revoked, or a facility being put on a provisional license, which requires, among other things, being subject to additional inspections. A provisional license can be renewed no more than three times. The department can return the facility to a regular license if it is satisfied that all issues have been corrected and it is warranted.

The department maintains a searchable database, which allows the public to view patient care surveys, building safety surveys, size of the nursing home, type of ownership and additional information about each of the nursing homes in the state. The department oversees nearly 700 nursing homes and more than 88,000 beds within nursing homes in Pennsylvania, in addition to other facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, home care agencies and others.

The Wolf Administration has taken a three-pillar approach to protecting the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes and other long-term living settings from COVID-19:

• Ensuring resident safety through testing, education and resources;
• Preventing and mitigating outbreaks; and
• Working in partnership with state agencies, local health departments and long-term care facility operators.

The Department of Health has been pushing personal protective equipment to all of long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the department continues to work with ECRI as they provide technical assistance and our Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI) team to further assist and remain connected with the nursing homes in order to best assist their needs.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Businesses ask patrons to waive right to sue if they get ill
By TOM KRISHER and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Many businesses are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won’t sue if they catch COVID-19. Businesses are afraid they could face lawsuits even if they follow social distancing and other government guidelines as they reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns. Lawyers say it depends on state law whether the waivers can be enforced. And worker advocates say the waiver forms force employees to make the difficult choice between returning to work and signing away their legal rights.

(New Castle, Pa.) The body of Amari Wise, who has been missing for over a week, was found near a creek in a wooded area off of Pennsylvania Avenue in Shenango Township Monday afternoon by a Shenango Twp. Police office who was patrolling the area. The County Coroner ruled Wise’s death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.

 

A father and son have been charged in Amari’s death. Connor Henry faces charges of criminal homicide and tampering with evidence, and his father, Todd Henry, was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit homicide, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.

 

Witnesses who have come forward have said that after an evening of partying Wise and another man started arguing and Connor Henry approached Wise from the back and shot him in the back of the head. There was also video and audio surveillance that was supplied by a neighbor and in it you can here a gun shot going off. Wise’s car was found on June 7 and had traces of blood in it. Police have been searching for Amari since then and made the unfortunate discovery of his body yesterday.

 

Connor Henry was arrested Sunday night in Ocean City and Todd Henry was arrested on Monday.

Lawmakers advance proposals on police hiring, training
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two bills to change how police are hired and trained are moving ahead in the Pennsylvania Legislature after unanimous committee votes. The House Judiciary Committee OK’d the proposals on Monday, a week after black state representatives commandeered the speaker’s dais to pressure majority Republicans to take action on stalled bills involving how police interact with people. The committee voted to mandate thorough background checks for law enforcement officers and require applicants’ former employers to provide information on their job history. The committee also approved a measure that would mandate training in how to interact with people of various racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Academy delays 2021 Oscars ceremony because of coronavirus
By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer
For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held on April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic’s effects on the movie industry. The Academy’s Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28, 2021. Other entertainment industry awards shows are also in flux, like the Tony Awards. The 74th Tony Awards, originally set for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely.

Midland, PA (June 5, 2020) – Lincoln Park has been working on and is ready to roll out a new “Hungry For Art” Campaign. As an organization, Lincoln Park aims to serve the community through meaningful, joyous, and thought provoking presentations of musicals, plays, and dance performances. Because they are currently not able to provide the public with this service due to Covid-19, Lincoln Park has turned their attention to other outlets to help our surrounding areas through creative and inspiring ideas, thus the birth of the “Hungry for Art” campaign.

Lincoln Park has been working to keep their valued team employed and working towards the future of live performances. Recognizing that every industry, organization and non-profit has also been affected by the Coronavirus, Lincoln Park has partnered with BeavTown T’s in Beaver, PA on this community cause that benefits Faith Restorations Food Pantry in Monaca, PA through original designed, limited run t-shirts bearing the language “Hungry for Art”. Lincoln Park Cares, an arm of the organization dedicated to giving back and helping the under-served, will match the sales of the shirts up to $1,000 in hopes of increasing the total contributions to Faith Restorations.

‘We truly miss coming together to celebrate the world of arts and entertainment, and know that our patron base and team members are excited to get involved in a campaign that is aimed to help those in need,” said Justin Fortunato, Producing Artistic Director at Lincoln Park. All proceeds raised from this campaign will be donated to Faith Restorations Food Pantry, who is currently in the middle of a fundraising campaign to help them adequately serve the people of Beaver County and meet the increased demand brought on by the current pandemic.
“We are honored to be able to be a part of this important cause and will continue to create ways that our organization can serve our community in the immediate and long term future,” commented Fortunato.
Shirts can be purchased for $25 by visiting LincolnParkArts.org or by following all of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s and BeavTown’s social media accounts. A direct link to buy shirts can be found here: https://www.beavtown.com/collections/hometown-collab/lincoln-park.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is the region’s premier arts-and-education destination, and is located in a beautiful park setting in Midland (Beaver County) Pennsylvania. The Center is home to the renowned Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, and creates authentic, real-world learning opportunities for young people by offering high-quality, professionally-produced musicals, plays, concerts, ballets, readings, and exhibits for patrons of all ages.

More virus-test sites opening across northern Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More free coronavirus drive-through testing sites will open in Walmart parking lots across northern Pennsylvania as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration seeks to expand testing to areas where there is little available. The administration said the nine new sites will open Wednesday at Walmart parking lots in Sayre, State College, Edinboro, New Castle, Grove City, Coal Township, Selinsgrove, Lewisburg and Mansfield. That brings the total number of free coronavirus drive-through testing sites in Walmart parking lots to 19, it said. People seeking a test must register online a day in advance. Meanwhile, UPMC Northwest also opened a testing site in Reno, in Venango County, by appointment only.

Lawmakers advance proposals on police hiring, training
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two bills to change how police are hired and trained are moving ahead in the Pennsylvania Legislature after unanimous committee votes. The House Judiciary Committee OK’d the proposals on Monday, a week after black state representatives commandeered the speaker’s dais to pressure majority Republicans to take action on stalled bills involving how police interact with people. The committee voted to mandate thorough background checks for law enforcement officers and require applicants’ former employers to provide information on their job history. The committee also approved a measure that would mandate training in how to interact with people of various racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds.