PH Healthcare Encourages Precautions to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

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Penn Highlands Healthcare Encourages Precautions to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

(DuBois, Pennsylvania) As the holidays approach and we begin to gather with family and friends, Penn Highlands Healthcare reminds the community that the risk of contracting respiratory viruses increases. Everyone plays a role in helping to minimize the spread of influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other wintertime illnesses.

“Immunization remains the most powerful defense in our toolbox to prevent disease. Masking, physical distancing, washing hands, and improving airflow can help has well.” said Trina Abla, DO, MBA, System Chief Medical Officer at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “If you are running a fever, coughing and feeling unwell, you should avoid family gatherings and other holiday activities.”

Penn Highlands Healthcare continuously monitors the respiratory virus burden across the health system and implements focused mitigation strategies as appropriate. Given the current levels, the health system is not re-implementing universal masking at its facilities at this time. However, the masking mandate is subject to change if the number of hospitalizations or spread of the viruses increases.

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011, and is comprised of eight hospitals – Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone -- that have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College, a new hospital, with a patient-centric design and atmosphere, is slated to open in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacy

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with 6,651 workers in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,498 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 827 physicians and 405 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare the best choice in the region.