MONEYSAVER APRIL 21, 2020
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NEWS
Pandemic causes special concern for children
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing families to stay at home, children may be even more vulnerable. Dan Wertz, director of McKean County Human Services, and District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer are asking members of the public to be even more vigilant about child abuse. Often times, child abuse is reported by people who see the child at school or church, but these safety nets have disappeared for many children because they are confined to their homes. “Law enforcement and Children and Youth Services continue to investigate reports of child abuse,” read a joint release from the two. “We have a group of exceptional service providers such as the YWCA, (Children’s Advocacy Center), and BRMC who continue to provide services to child victims.” “The stay-at-home order is expected to ‘flatten the curve,’ but it requires us to call on the community to be vigilant about child abuse,” the release noted. “Anyone can report child abuse.
And we are asking all people who have contact with children to pay attention and report any suspicions about abuse.” Certain professionals are classified as “mandated reporters” under the law, meaning that people who come into contact with children, such as teachers, are required to report suspicions of child abuse to the state child abuse hotline called Childline. Of course, mandated reporters still report any such suspicions as required. “But, more than ever, we are calling on everyone who sees a child to be aware that you may be the only outside adult that sees that child for weeks at a time,” the release noted. “Abuse could remain hidden if people do not act on their suspicions. It is so important that each one of us pays extra attention to every child we may see. Everyone’s travel is limited and so are the people that may see a child outside of your own family.” Trained reporters, like teachers, may not see a child in person, but only over video. The people who are likely to see a child in person now are mail carriers, store clerks or restaurant delivery drivers.
See Prevention on page 3....
UAHS hospitals clean and ready for potential surge By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Upper Allegheny Health System hospitals — including Bradford Regional Medical Center — are clean and ready should a potential surge of COVID-19 cases hit the region. “The lack of testing kits throughout the U.S. continues to be an issue and therefore, the lack of confirmed cases probably isn’t a true measure of COVID-19 activity in our communities,” said Dr. William Mills, chief medical officer for UAHS. “Therefore, it is important for our patients and residents to practice social distancing, stay home, practice good hand hygiene, etc., to prevent the spread of this virus.” Currently, Olean hospital has three patients who are positive, one in intensive care and two in med/surg, Mills said, while two other patients are under investigation. BRMC has no positive cases, and one patient under investigation. As of last week, McKean County had four positive cases of COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health. Potter County also had four, while Elk County had two and Cameron County had one.
Dr. Jill Owens reviews COVID-19 protocols with nursing, respiratory, infection control, and emergency department staff in preparation for the surge plan at BRMC.
Jeff Zewe, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny, said, “Our hospitals continue to be prepared for a potential surge in patients. However, inpatient, emergency department, and physician network volumes remain well below normal operating volume.” Officials explained cleanliness has been a primary focus to keep the virus from spreading. “In the wake of the COVID pandemic, BRMC and OGH’s environmental services team has gone above and beyond in helping to protect staff and patients,” a release from UAHS stated. “In addition to performing additional critical
disinfecting of all high touch surfaces throughout the entire hospitals, OGH and BRMC have an extra weapon for killing the virus — the Clorox Healthcare Optimum-UV System.” The hospitals obtained these six-foot tall germ-killing “robots” four years ago. The system uses ultraviolet light to neutralize persistent infection-causing pathogens such as Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) and MRSA from patient rooms. They are now being used to fight COVID-19. “We’ve increased the cleaning frequency of high touch surfaces and run both robots around the clock to disinfect all
LAKEVIEW HEALTHCARE & REHABILITATION
isolation rooms, patient rooms, restrooms, break rooms and many other areas of the hospital to keep patients safe,” said Branden Balkovic, director, environmental services, OGH. “Our staff has risen to the occasion and embraced the challenges that this pandemic has presented. The entire team is committed to protecting all patients, co-workers and community members from COVID-19.” Zewe added, “Cleanliness has always been a very high priority for our hospitals. The UV system is an additional level of reassurance that we are doing our best to See Ready on page 3....