AC PMMA employee, residents test positive for COVID-19 8/21

Four new cases of COVID-19 were detected at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor this week after exposure testing was conducted at the senior living community.

“We encourage everyone in the Cowley County community to take steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. To keep our residents and employees safe, we need everyone’s help in fighting this virus,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) vice president for health and wellness and infection preventionist.

Two residents tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday during precautionary testing in Memory Care. One additional memory care resident tested positive on August 19. All three were exhibiting signs and symptoms of the virus. The remaining memory care residents were tested August 19, and all were negative. We will continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

An essential healthcare employee tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid point-of-care test Wednesday, August 18. The employee last worked August 13, screening in before their shift and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while at work. The employee tested negative for the virus on August 16.

The Cowley County Health Department has been notified and we will follow their direction. Visitation is suspended for all memory care residents. Due to the high county positivity rate, indoor visitation has been suspended for independent living, assisted living and health care residents as a precaution. Outdoor visits will continue.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when a resident may leave isolation. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic individuals may return end isolation when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive residents will quarantine for at least 10 days.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when an employee or contractor may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic individuals may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees and contractors will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

PMMA continues to strongly encourage all staff, residents and their families to receive the vaccine. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large.

All team members 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 individual should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.

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