Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor reports new case of COVID-19

One new case of COVID-19 was detected at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor this week. Due to the new case, the Summer Solstice Ball Drop fundraiser on Monday, June 21, is being postponed. A new date has not been set.

“Our efforts to protect the health and safety of our residents and employees continue,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) vice president for health and wellness and infection preventionist.

The non-direct resident care employee last worked Monday, June 14, in assisted living. The employee notified a supervisor Tuesday, June 15, that a close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was asked to quarantine and obtain a COVID-19 test. The test result received Friday, June 18, was positive.

The Cowley County Health Department has been notified. Through contact tracing, another non-direct resident staff member was identified as a close contact. In addition, 11 residents have been identified as possible exposure risks. The residents and exposed employee were tested for COVID-19 on Friday at the recommendation of the health department, and all were negative for COVID-19. As long as testing does not reveal another case of COVID-19, the health department does not recommend suspending visitation in the assisted living neighborhood.

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.

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