February average COVID-19 inpatient count decreasing significantly
Today, Mount Nittany Medical Center is caring for 22 COVID-19 inpatients ranging in age from 49 - 100 years old. In February, the average number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 per day has decreased to 34 patients; declining to a daily average of 28 COVID-19 positive inpatients in the past week.
“Our average daily count of COVID-19 positive admissions has decreased significantly, allowing for a number of our services to resume, including outpatient surgery and an increasing number of surgeries that require an overnight stay,” says Dr. Tiffany Cabibbo, Executive VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Mount Nittany Health. “Although community transmission has slowed, it is important that we continue to be vigilant against COVID-19. We encourage everyone to continue to do their part.”
To continue 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.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Ages 6 months – 4 years – Waitlist
The FDA advisory panel is expected to review the emergency use authorization request of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 6 months – 4 years in the coming weeks. 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.
Vaccination Opportunities
Mount Nittany Health offers COVID-19 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. For other community vaccination locations, visit the vaccines.gov website.
COVID-19 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.
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.
The COVID-19 inpatient dashboard will continue to be updated Monday – Friday at mountnittany.org/covid. As of Friday, February 18, we will no longer send the Friday media statement. We welcome your inquiries, and ask you to use our Mount Nittany Health media inquiry form.