Testing reveals 1 new case of COVID-19 at Arkansas City PMMA 1/21

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor’s employee surveillance testing revealed one new case of COVID-19 at the campus this week.

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

The essential health care employee last worked January 19 in memory care. The employee passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required.

The Cowley County Health Department has been notified. The community will test memory care residents next week as a precaution. The next round of testing for employees will be Monday, January 25. Employee surveillance testing will continue as required. Based on our county positivity rate for COVID-19 tests, our campus is testing staff twice a week.

The employee who tested positive will remain in isolation until cleared to work by the health department. We follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when an 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 the employee’s 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 a minimum of 10 days unless otherwise directed by the health department. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it should play an instrumental role in eventually moving toward resuming our normal operations. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. The campus had its first vaccine clinic for residents and employees January 18. As the vaccine rollout enters the next phase, PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones.

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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