Posted on May 19, 2020 by Heather Adams

Berks Commissioner’s Weekly COVID-19 Update to be Focused on Healthcare

From County of Berks / COVID-19 Leadership Team

Berks Commissioner’s Weekly COVID-19 Update to be Focused on Healthcare

Reading, PA — The Berks County Commissioners will host their weekly COVID-19 Update on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 3:30PM on Microsoft Teams Live Event. Click here to find link to this meeting. This meeting will feature reports from Penn State/St. Joes Hospital and Tower Health/Reading Hospital Doctors as well a Mental Health report from the Administrator of Berks County MH/DD. This Press Event will also be streamed Live to the Berks County Facebook and YouTube pages and air live on BCTV.

Healthcare Report Agenda for 5/20/2020 3:30 Live Event

Welcome – Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Comments – Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt
Comments – Commissioner Michael Rivera
Introductions of the Panel – Commissioner Leinbach

Presentations from our Berks County Healthcare Partners Tower Health/Reading Hospital & Penn State/St. Joseph’s Hospital:

Debra Powell, MD Section Chief for Infectious Diseases and Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Tower Health/Reading Hospital.

Dr. Michael Baxter, MD Past Chair of Berks County Medical Society. Past Chair of Tower Health Family and Community Medicine

Dr. Jeffrey Held Vice President of Medical Affairs at Penn State/St Joes Hospital

1. Share the Hospital’s perspective on current modeling and the improvement over the past several weeks.

2. Discuss what businesses that are open should be doing and what residents should do if they believe a business is not following proper procedure.

3. Share what you believe businesses must do to prepare to open at some future date.

a. Where can they secure appropriate health expertise and input?

b. How can they know that they have an effective plan in place?

4. It is clear from Berks County Death Certificates that the Elderly and those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

a. Why is that the case?

b. What should we do as healthcare providers, local governments, businesses and individuals to protect this segment of our population?

c. Will these protections need to be in place longer than protections for the general population?

5. Share any advice you have for Berks County residents in responding to COVID-19

a. Short-Term – The next several months

b. Long-Term – Fall flu season through Spring 2021

Dr. Edward B. Michalik Psy. D. Berks County MH/DD Administrator 

1. Overall Mental Health risk relative to stay at home orders
2. Overall Mental Health risk for employees facing lay-off and loss of job
3. Overall Mental Health risk to business owners losing value and possibly losing their business

Question and Answers – Facilitated by Commissioner Christian Leinbach

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