Manor of the Plains reports positive COVID-19 test

Manor of the Plains has identified another case of COVID-19. The case was identified through the community’s new employee screening process, which includes a COVID-19 test.

“We’re continuing to be vigilant in our efforts to protect our residents and employees,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s infection preventionist and vice president for health and wellness.

The employee passed pre-screening upon entry to the building for orientation. The campus conducted contact tracing to determine who meets the CDC guidelines for direct contact within 6 feet for 10 minutes or longer. The employee had direct contact with one employee at the campus and was not in contact with any residents. Both employees wore masks and practiced social distancing. The possibly affected employee is not scheduled to work until Tuesday, at which time the employee will be rapid tested for COVID-19 as a safety precaution.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Epidemiology Hotline and Ford County Health Department have been notified. No additional testing is recommended due to the low risk of exposure for residents.

The positive case will not impact our timeline for reopening pending the results of the employee testing this week.

Manor of the Plains will continue to follow KDHE, Ford County Health Department, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and CDC guidelines to monitor residents and other employees for any signs or symptoms of respiratory illness and signs of COVID-19.

Employees and residents are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all employees that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or is not feeling well.

The employee is recuperating at home. We follow CDC and KDHE guidelines in determining when an employee may return to work.  Under the current guidelines, the employee 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 employees are asked to quarantine for 14 days.

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