jdagostino@observertoday.com, etichy@post-journal.com
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Mary E. LaRowe, Brooks-TLC Hospital chief executive officer and president, said staffing remains a challenge amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Local hospitals have seen an increase in the number of patients confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past few weeks. Some locations are grappling other concerns as well.
“We have a surge plan that allows us to add beds to accommodate a good uptick in patient census,” said Mary E. LaRowe, chief executive officer and president of Brooks-TLC Hospital. “However, staffing is the largest challenge for many hospitals and Brooks-TLC is no different. We are competing with staffing agencies across the country for nurses and other key front-line staff. Beds are not the issue right now.”
gbacon@observertoday.com
The vaccine rollout has started in Chautauqua County, but likely won’t be finished before the spring.
During a meeting this week of the county Board of Health, Christine Schuyler, county public health director and commissioner of Social Services, discussed the COVID-19 vaccination plan and how things have gone so far.
She noted that the federal government is distributing vaccines directly to hospitals and nursing homes. It also has a contract with CVS and Walgreens to go into the long-term care facilities and vaccinate staff and residents in those facilities.
The Pfizer vaccine is required to be stored at sub-degree temperatures. “What (hospitals) are receiving is what they ordered two weeks ago,” Schuyler told the health board. “That means that they had to certify that they had the freezer that could be at the extreme temperatures to store the Pfizer vaccine.”
Allegheny Health Network Begins COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution to Eligible Employees at Affiliated Hospitals Font : A-A+
AHN officials announced today that eligible frontline caregivers across all affiliated western Pennsylvania hospitals have begun to receive the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech. PITTSBURGH, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ Following emergency use authorization by the FDA of the first vaccine to protect individuals against COVID-19, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) officials today announced that eligible frontline caregivers across all affiliated western Pennsylvania hospitals have begun to receive the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech. AHN s vaccine distribution plan was developed in accordance with the recommendations of the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health. The plan includes a phased approach to vaccination, directing initial supplies to the most vulnerable populations.
Schuyler: Could Be Spring Before Gen Population Gets Vaccine | News, Sports, Jobs post-journal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from post-journal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Allegheny Health Network Begins COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution to Eligible Employees at Affiliated Hospitals
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AHN officials announced today that eligible frontline caregivers across all affiliated western Pennsylvania hospitals have begun to receive the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech.
AHN clinician prepares vaccine vial. Vaccination against COVID-19 represents the clearest pathway to restoring good health and wellbeing in our communities. PITTSBURGH (PRWEB) December 18, 2020 Following emergency use authorization by the FDA of the first vaccine to protect individuals against COVID-19, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) officials today announced that eligible frontline caregivers across all affiliated western Pennsylvania hospitals have begun to receive the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech.