Finally, some good news to share with you! We conducted another round of COVID testing with residents Tuesday and had no new cases! We tested staff Monday and had similar great results: no new cases reported.

Hopefully, this news is an indication that we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel relative to Omicron. Another positive sign is that Monday Marymount Hospital reported just 7 COVID patients and none in the ICU.

That said, the CDC reported that interest in the booster seems to be lagging. Only about 40% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose. The average number of booster shots dispensed daily in the U.S. declined from 1 million in early December to less than half of that number in the past two weeks.

Initial vaccinations also have leveled off. Less than two-thirds (or 63%) of Americans are fully vaccinated with the initial rounds of shots. I cannot emphasize enough the importance and benefits of getting both vaccines and the booster in the fight against COVID. Your health depends on it.

Considering the impending winter storm predicted for today, we’ve taken some proactive measures to prepare for the worst. We have shifted several resident care conferences to different days. We’re also taking steps to ensure adequate staffing during the storm. Hopefully the storm’s impact will not be as harsh as predicted.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate four members of our Marymount Place team for celebrating their 18-year anniversaries. We thank Bev Kovach, Pat Laureano, Tina Harrison, and Liz Burdyshaw for their tireless service during the past 18 years. Each lives the core values of our Mission – Compassion, Competence, and the Celebration of Life – every day.

Please remember to wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance when socializing with family and friends. Stay safe everyone!