Parsons Presbyterian provides COVID-19 update

Parsons Presbyterian Manor reports one employee tested positive for COVID-19 at the campus since December 26.

An essential health care employee tested positive for the virus via rapid point-of-care (POC) testing December 26. The employee last worked that day and was tested after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The individual passed their pre-shift screening prior to their shift and wore personal protective equipment (PPE) while working.

Parsons Presbyterian Manor is testing residents and staff twice a week due to an outbreak at the community that started November 28. COVID-19 testing for residents and staff December 21, December 23, December 28 and December 30 yielded no new cases of COVID-19.

We have notified the Labette County Health Department and will continue with mass testing January 4.

We 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 or contractors will quarantine for 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

We will continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of respiratory illness and COVID-19 on every shift.

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.

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