A Topeka PMMA contract staff tests positive for COVID-19

A contract employee of Topeka Presbyterian Manor has tested positive for COVID-19 as part of ongoing surveillance testing at the community.

The employee last worked on January 8, screening in before their shift and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while at work.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when a contract employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic contract 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 will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

Our bi-weekly surveillance testing is done for this week. No other positive cases were detected. We will resume testing next week and will test any resident or employee with symptoms consistent with the virus in the meantime.

“We remain focused on resident and employee safety at this time,” said Heather Pilkinton, executive director.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. We have been screening individuals as they enter the community building for a shift and before individuals 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 Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, presbyterianmanors.org/media-room.

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