Newton Presbyterian Manor shares COVID-19 test results

One essential health care employee tested positive for COVID-19 at Newton Presbyterian Manor since December 20, and all residents who previously tested positive have met the requirements to leave isolation leaving the campus with no active resident cases of COVID-19.

All test results for the 22 residents mass tested on Monday, December 21, were negative.

“We’re thrilled that no additional residents have tested positive at our community,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s vice president for health and wellness and infection preventionist. “But that doesn’t mean we’re letting our guard down. We remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the health and safety of our residents and staff.”

Employee surveillance testing December 20 and December 21 identified one new case of COVID-19. The employee last worked December 22 in assisted living, passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required.

The campus follows CDC and KDHE guidelines in determining when employees and contractors may return to work.  Under the current guidelines, the employee or contractor may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of their fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. If asymptomatic, the employee or contractor must quarantine for at least 10 days before returning to work. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

The Harvey County Health Department has been notified and recommends continuing with our outbreak and surveillance testing. The senior living community will follow any additional guidance the health department provides. The next round of testing for residents and employees will be Monday, December 28. Employees will be tested a second time next week in compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated testing requirements.

All employees and residents 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.

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it should play an instrumental role in eventually moving toward resuming our normal operations. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones.

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