Topeka loses additional resident, more positive cases detected

Topeka Presbyterian Manor has lost an additional resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19, and more cases of COVID-19 were identified during this week’s testing for the virus.

“During this incredibly difficult time, our prayers remain with the family,” said Heather Pilkinton, executive director.  

The resident had been cared for by designated staff following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection prevention protocols and physician’s orders. The community continues to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of the virus.

One health care resident tested positive for COVID-19 following testing which took place on Monday, November 23. The resident will be cared for in a designated area of the community by designated staff.

In addition, two essential health care workers and one non-direct care employee tested positive for the virus. The first essential health care worker last worked on November 20. The second essential health care worker last worked November 24. The non-direct care employee last worked on November 22. All screened in before their shifts and wore personal protective equipment (PPE) while working. Contact tracing did not reveal any additional exposures.

We remain in close contact with the Shawnee County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Additionally, the community medical director, Dr. Kevin Sundbye, is working closely with Topeka Presbyterian Manor to manage our ongoing outbreak.

We continue our work to isolate residents who have tested positive, while ensuring that positive employees are recuperating and self-isolating at home.

We will follow KDHE guidelines for when the resident 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, an 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. Asymptomatic employees will quarantine for 14 days. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

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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