February average COVID inpatient count decreasing
Today, Mount Nittany Medical Center is caring for 33 COVID-19 inpatients ranging in age from 30 to 98 years old. In the first days of February, we are seeing a decrease in the average number of patients hospitalized for COVID per day - 39 hospitalized COVID patients per day.
“Although the number of COVID positive inpatients is trending in the right direction, the COVID positive inpatient admissions continue to be high enough to require us to limit services, including some elective surgeries,” says Dr. Tiffany Cabibbo, Executive VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Mount Nittany Health. “We encourage everyone to continue to do their part to slow the transmission of COVID In our community.”
To slow transmission of the virus, please:
- Avoid large indoor gatherings.
- Wear a mask.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Get vaccinated.
- If you are already vaccinated, get a booster shot, and continue to wear a mask if spending time in crowded indoor public spaces.
If you experience any symptoms like fever, cough, chills, scratchy throat, body aches, headaches and/or loss of taste or smell, seek testing and isolate yourself from others.
Vaccination Opportunities
Mount Nittany Health offers COVID vaccination for patients of Mount Nittany Physician Group. Patients may schedule a Pfizer BioNTech vaccine or booster through their primary care provider. Visit our patient information page to learn more. The CDC recently updated its recommendation for booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine. For other community vaccination locations, visit the vaccines.gov website.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Ages 6 months – 4 years – Waitlist
On February 15, the FDA advisory panel will vote on extending the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 6 months – 4 years. In anticipation of the decision, Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics is offering a wait list for patients ages 6 months – 4 years.
Parents/guardians of Mount Nittany Physician Group patients can reserve their spot by calling 814.466.7921 or 814.355.3626.
Note: Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics is only offering vaccine appointments to current Mount Nittany Physician Group and Centre Volunteers In Medicine patients.
Give Blood
Once every two seconds, someone in the US needs lifesaving blood. Go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate at any Red Cross blood drive – select a date and time that is convenient for you.
Thank your local healthcare workers
During this time, please share a message of gratitude or encouragement to our Mount Nittany Health healthcare workers at courageousatheart.org.
Masking Required in all Mount Nittany Health facilities
For the protection of everyone, Mount Nittany Health requires masking by everyone at all of our facilities.
COVID Testing
Mount Nittany Health COVID-19 testing is an outdoor, drive-through location on the Mount Nittany Medical Center campus on the ground level (lowest level) of the parking garage. Testing is available for symptomatic patients. You must have an appointment and a physician’s order for testing. To schedule an appointment, call 814.234.6106. Please note that this site will not be utilized for COVID-19 testing prior to surgery.