Second Clay Center Presbyterian Manor employee tests positive for COVID-19

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

The employee tested negative on Monday, August 2, during the campus’ regular surveillance testing. The employee last worked Monday, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment as required. The employee requested testing Tuesday, August 3, after experiencing signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

In addition to employees, we also tested 9 health care residents due to a potential exposure last week when another essential health care worker tested positive for the virus. The resident tests were negative for COVID-19. All employee surveillance tests were negative on Monday.

On-campus visitation remains suspended for all residents due to the identification of this new case of COVID-19. Due to the COVID-19 positivity rate in Clay County, surveillance tests are conducted weekly at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. The next round of testing will be Monday, August 9.

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.  

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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