Salina Presbyterian Manor shares New COVID-19 update

An essential health care worker has tested positive for COVID-19 at Salina Presbyterian Manor, and a health care resident who previously tested positive for the virus has died.

“The Presbyterian Manor team is saddened by this death,” said Christian Gilbert, executive director. “We ask for your continued prayers for our team, our residents and this resident’s family during this difficult time.”

The essential health care worker tested positive on Monday. The employee last worked Sunday, December 19, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment as required.

The Saline County Health Department has been notified and we will follow their guidance. Visitation continues with infection control precautions and social distancing requirements per new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements.

Employee surveillance testing will continue in compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for testing based on county COVID-19 transmission rates.

The community will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the 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 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 at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, Salina Presbyterian Manor will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

Salina Presbyterian Manor encourages 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.

‍