Contractor tests positive for COVID-19 at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

A contract essential health care worker has tested positive for COVID-19 at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor.

The contractor last worked Friday, December 10. Over the weekend, the contractor began to experience signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and contacted the campus to request a test for the virus.

The Clay County Health Department has been notified, and the community is following their guidance. Contact tracing revealed 11 residents with potential exposure, and those residents have been placed in isolation as a precaution. Residents will be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Staff testing will continue twice weekly in accordance with the CMS requirement due to the rate of transmission in Clay County.

The contractor will remain in isolation until cleared to work by the Health Department. We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the contractor may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic contractors may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the contractor’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive contractors will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

All employees and residents are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. We continue 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 strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones.

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

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