Clay Center Presbyterian Manor reports COVID-19 testing results

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor identified one new case of COVID-19 at the campus through surveillance testing this week. In addition, one campus resident who previously tested positive for the virus has died.

“We are deeply saddened with the death of each and every resident,” said Morgan Burton, executive director. “The entire Clay Center Presbyterian Manor family is mourning this resident’s passing and will be keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The campus conducted two rounds of employee surveillance and a round of resident testing. One essential health care worker tested positive. No additional cases were detected among residents. The employee last worked January 7, passed pre-shift screenings and wore personal protective equipment as required.  

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

The Clay County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have been notified, and we will follow any additional recommendations they provide. We will test residents throughout the building and employees again Monday, January 18. Surveillance testing will continue with a second round later in the week.

All employees and residents are encouraged 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.

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it should play an instrumental role in eventually moving toward resuming our normal operations. 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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