UPPER NAZARETH TWP, Pa. - Local nursing homes are dealing with new infections among staff and residents as the omicron variant continues to spread across the Lehigh Valley.
Experts agree nursing homes are mirrors of what happens throughout the region.
This week, officials at Gracedale Nursing Home in Upper Nazareth Township reported just two new COVID cases among residents, but 22 staff members were in quarantine after testing positive for the virus.
At the same time, Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation reported higher numbers, with 10 new cases among residents and 30 among staff.
Jason Cumello, nursing home administrator and director, said in a written statement that cases “appear to be mild compared to other phases of the pandemic” and they hope that continues.
But Cumello added that the impact of the virus on staffing is “significant.”
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure agreed, saying keeping Gracedale staffed throughout the pandemic has been “extremely difficult.”
Northampton County officials said in a statement they strongly discourage visits to Gracedale at this time.