Fort Scott PMMA employee tests positive for COVID-19 8/5/21

A non-direct care employee at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid point-of-care (POC) testing. The employee last worked on August 2, screening in prior to their shift and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while at work.

“We continue to prioritize the safety of all residents and employees,” said Ginger Nance, executive director.

We have notified the Bourbon County Health Department and will follow their guidance. We will test all staff members twice per week until all tests are negative for a period of two weeks. Indoor visitation remains suspended at this time. Additionally, patio visits are suspended until the current outbreak has been cleared. Communal dining and other communal activities will continue as long as no one participating is symptomatic. Glass vestibule visits, window visits, phone visits and FaceTime visits can continue. We encourage all residents to remain on campus unless medically necessary. No residents have tested positive.

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

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.

Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. PMMA continues to strongly encourage our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones.

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