Two contractors test positive for COVID-19

Two contract direct care providers who work at Newton Presbyterian Manor tested positive for COVID-19 this week.

The contractors were last on campus January 3 and January 4, passing pre-shift screenings and wearing personal protective equipment as required.

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 Services (CMS) mandated testing requirement.

Newton Presbyterian Manor will follow PMMA’s Emergent Infectious Disease (EID) Policy and CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the contractor may return to work. 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.