Additional Topeka residents pass away, more positive cases detected

Topeka Presbyterian Manor announces that four residents passed away this week in our COVID-positive isolation area.

“Losing these beloved residents is not easy and we mourn with the families,” said Heather Pilkinton, executive director.

At this time, Topeka Presbyterian Manor continues its focus on ensuring the well-being of our residents and employees. We will continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on each shift, and care for those residents who are positive in the COVID-19 isolation area.

We also tested 137 residents and employees this week as part of our ongoing outbreak testing. This week’s test results revealed 3 new positive tests. Of the positives, 1 is a resident and 2 are staff.

The COVID positive residents will recover in isolation and be cared for by designated staff. We will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) guidelines for when the residents may come out of isolation. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic residents may leave isolation when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the resident’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the resident’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive residents will quarantine for 14 days. Designated staff members are following doctor’s orders for treatment protocols and following CDC infection prevention protocols.

We follow CDC and KDHE guidelines in determining when an employee may return to work.  Under the current guidelines, the employee may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the employee’s 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. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor will continue to work with the Shawnee County Health Department and KDHE to stop the outbreak.

All employees, residents, and visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.  The community educates all residents and their families regarding preventive measures to slow the spread to COVID-19 including social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, wearing an appropriate face covering, and sheltering in place within the community to the greatest extent possible.

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

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