Second Newton Presbyterian Manor employee tests positive for COVID-19

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

The employee last worked October 22, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment as required. The employee tested negative for COVID-19 on October 25 during surveillance testing.

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 CDC and KDHE guidelines will also be followed 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, 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.