Newton Presbyterian Manor employee positive for COVID-19

A non-direct resident care employee at Newton Presbyterian Manor has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee tested positive during surveillance testing on Monday, August 2, after reporting a close contact had tested positive for the virus. The employee last worked on Friday, July 30, passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required.

The Harvey County Health Department has been notified. We tested all employees on Monday, August 2, which met the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated testing requirement. We will continue to follow the health department guidance on testing.

As a precaution, indoor visitation has been suspended for health care residents. Indoor and outdoor visitation continues for assisted living residents.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the employee 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, we will follow CDC recommendations 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.