TO:  All  SJH employees- an urgent awareness message:

As warmer weather has exited, and we spend more time inside, we are now in a time of increased COVID-19 exposure, at home and in social situations.

We are currently monitoring an increase in Covid-19 cases among employees at SJH.  These cases are, for the most part, from exposures when masks were not worn during off time and family/personal time.  Currently, cases are also rising in the state of New Jersey.

Let us remind ourselves that masking continues to be the single best deterrent in the spread of COVID-19.  I ask that you continue to follow protocol, and wear masks at all times within the hospitals, when not eating or drinking.  Be especially mindful of social distancing and break room capacity, as this can be the biggest spreader of virus.  Handwashing is now, more than ever, a critical concern, so please perform proper hand sanitation.

While we encourage every one of our employees to receive their booster vaccines, remember transmission may still occur, even among the vaccinated, and it is our obligation to protect those who are immunocompromised, or unvaccinated, by masking.

The current increase in COVID -19 cases in NJ was predicted by our state Department of Health but, if everyone continues to receive both initial and booster vaccines, we can hope for no additional significant hospitalizations.

Wishing everyone a safe holiday season.