Manor of the Plains reports more COVID test results, plans more testing

Results are in for 36 additional employees tested for COVID-19 at Manor of the Plains. The senior living community was notified by the Ford County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment epidemiology line that 1 additional employee tested positive for the virus.

The Ford County Health Department has labeled the cases a COVID-19 cluster. Clusters are defined as two or more non-household COVID-19 cases identified in a certain timeframe and place.

“Our residents’ health and safety is our top priority,” said John Van Hook, Manor of the Plains executive director. “Your Manor of the Plains team continues to be 100% committed to caring for your loved ones and keeping them safe especially in regard to COVID-19.”

Nine employees were rapid tested for COVID-19 on May 26 after a resident and a second staff member tested positive for the virus. Two came back as positive for COVID-19 in the rapid test, triggering another round of testing for the remaining 36 employees at the senior living community.

Manor of the Plains continues to cooperate with the Health Department. The Ford County Health Department has recommended that all residents and employees be tested again. Independent living, assisted living and health care residents will be tested along with all employees on Wednesday, June 3. Any employees out on quarantine will be asked to obtain a rapid test at the National Guard Armory.

The COVID positive resident remains in the COVID-19 isolation area to be cared for by the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team. At this time, the resident is not showing any signs or symptoms of respiratory illness. The resident will be re-tested and must be COVID-19 negative before returning to their regular residence. Per CDC guidelines, the resident must have negative results from an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least 2 consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens). Rapid Response Team members are following doctor’s orders for treatment protocols and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection prevention protocols.

The employees who tested positive are not showing signs or symptoms of the disease. Before returning to work, the employees must have negative results from an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least 2 consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens). Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

Manor of the Plains implemented a strict no visitor policy at the community and discontinued group activities and communal dining for the entire campus per guidelines released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CDC on March 13. The CDC has been notified of the positive tests per CMS regulation. The community will follow any additional guidance from the Ford County Health Department and the CDC.

The community has implemented additional measures to ensure resident safety including assigning housekeeping staff by level of living and not allowing staff or residents to move freely between the independent and licensed areas. Those serving as members of the designated COVID-19 response team are working only in the designated isolation area to care for COVID-19 positive residents.

All residents, including independent living residents, have been strongly encouraged to follow the CDC/CMS guidelines and Kansas’ reopening plans. We continue to strongly advise our independent living residents to adhere to the no visitor “rule,” and limit the number of medically non-essential appointments, events and gatherings attended off campus. Upon returning to the community, residents are asked a series of CDC recommended questions about recent travel, ­health status, and exposure risks and receive temperature checks.

We encourage all staff members to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. We have been screening employees as they enter the community building for a shift and before employees have any direct contact with residents. We educate all staff to stay at home if they are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.

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