Salina reports one employee positive for COVID-19

An essential health care worker at Salina Presbyterian Manor has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee tested positive for COVID-19 with a rapid point-of-care (POC) test Thursday, July 22. The employee last worked on Tuesday, July 20. The employee passed pre-shift screening and wore personal protective equipment as required. The employee tested negative in routine surveillance testing on Monday, July 19, but reported symptoms when reporting for work Thursday. The employee was sent home to quarantine.

“Our efforts to keep COVID-19 out of our building continue,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s vice president for health and wellness and infection preventionist. “Due to the new Delta variant of the virus being found in Kansas, we are seeing cases pick up across the state, including in Saline County. I encourage you to continue to be vigilant in protecting yourself and others from the virus.”

We are in contact with the Saline County Health Department and will follow their recommendations. Visitation has been suspended in the health care center and residents have been isolated as a precaution pending further COVID-19 testing. Visitation continues for residents in assisted living, memory care and independent living.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the employee 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 or contractors will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

We encourage all staff members and residents 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.

Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. PMMA continues to strongly encourage our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones.

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

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