Newton Presbyterian Manor residents, employees positive for COVID-19

Newton Presbyterian Manor tallied six cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff this week.

Tuesday, September 7, an assisted living resident and two non-direct resident care employees tested positive for COVID-19. On September 8, another assisted living resident tested positive. The third resident and an essential health care worker both tested positive on September 9. These cases bring the senior living community’s total for the month of September to eight. The employees all passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required during their last shifts worked.

The Harvey County Health Department has been notified. Unvaccinated employees will be tested again next week in compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated testing requirement. The health department’s guidance on testing is also being followed. Visitation remains suspended per order of the health department.

The COVID positive residents will recover in isolation and be cared for by designated staff. The CDC and KDHE guidelines will be followed for when the resident may come out of isolation. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic residents may leave isolation when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the resident’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the resident’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive residents will quarantine for at least 10 days. Designated staff members are following doctor’s orders for treatment protocols and following CDC infection prevention protocols.

The CDC and KDHE guidelines will also be followed for when employees may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, CDC recommendations will be followed related to work practices and restrictions.

PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider getting a COVID-19 vaccination for themselves, as well as their loved ones. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.

For more information about Newton Presbyterian Manor’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, presbyterianmanors.org/media-room.