NEW COVID MANDATES

Please make sure you are following these new mandates. 

Here at Lancashire Terrace we have remained COVID free between residents and staff but we did have some that needed to quarantine because of possible exposure. COVID-19 is on the rise and we need to make sure everyone is being smart and staying safe. 

Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health announced new targeted efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus Tuesday afternoon, including a strengthened mask mandate and a new order for those traveling to Pennsylvania from other states.

Dr. Rachel Levine said anyone visiting Pennsylvania from another state must get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of entering the state.

"If you do not have your test result when you come to Pennsylvania, then you need to quarantine until you get a negative test result," Levine said.

Those who do not get a test must quarantine for 14 days. Pennsylvania residents who travel to other states must follow the same rules upon returning home.

The order does not apply to people who commute into Pennsylvania for work from neighboring states. It takes effect Friday.

Levine also said she is strengthening the masking order that was first issued in April.

"Wearing a mask is really one of the simplest steps we can all take to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is critical," Levine said.

In the new order, masks are still required to be worn indoors and outdoors.

When indoors, masks are now required any time individuals are with others from outside of their household, even if they are socially distant.

This applies to all indoor facilities — including schools, gyms, doctors offices, public transportation and anywhere food is prepared, packaged or served.

It also applies if there are people in a private home that are from outside of the household.

The Departments of Health and Education in Pennsylvania have issued new recommendations for colleges and universities to develop and implement testing strategies to prevent outbreaks among students, particularly upon returning to campus from holiday breaks.

The strategies include routine protocols for testing and reporting

The recommendation is that all students are tested at the beginning of each term. Schools should also have regular screening testing throughout the term.

There should also be adequate capacity for isolation and quarantine, and colleges and universities should be prepared to enforce violation of their policies.

Levine also said Tuesday she has issued a memorandum to acute care hospitals outlining expectations to care for Pennsylvanians who need care during the pandemic.

"Hospitalizations are increasing, as are ICU patients, and according to modeling from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, which does not take into account hospitalizations from influenza, Pennsylvania will run out of intensive care beds in December if ICU admissions continue at the current rate," a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health said.

That same modeling indicates there will be sufficient medical-surgical beds, with some uncertainty as to capacity from region to region, according to the release.