One new case of COVID-19 detected at Newton Presbyterian Manor

Newton Presbyterian Manor identified one new case of COVID-19 at the campus during surveillance testing April 19 after two months with no new cases at the senior living community.

“Harvey County has done an excellent job of following COVID-19 prevention practices and bringing the positivity rate down. With those efforts and vaccinations, Newton Presbyterian Manor has been able to keep the virus at bay. We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to combat the virus,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s vice president for health and wellness and infection preventionist.

On Monday, April 19, 94 employees were tested for COVID-19. One non-direct resident care employee tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. The other 93 tests were negative. The employee last worked on Saturday, April 17. The employee passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required.

The Harvey County Health Department has been notified. We will conduct another round of employee testing April 26 and again May 3.

The campus follows CDC and KDHE guidelines in determining when employees may return to work.  Under the current guidelines, the employee 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.

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 vaccine becomes more widely available, PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine 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.

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