11/21 Residents, employees test positive for COVID-19

Three memory care residents, two assisted living residents, one direct care employee and two non-direct care employees at Farmington Presbyterian Manor have tested positive for COVID-19. The employees last worked on November 18, November 21 and November 24, screening in prior to their shifts and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while working. Since November 7, this brings the total number of positive cases in this outbreak to fourteen residents and seven staff.

We have notified the St. Francois County Health Department and will follow their guidance. Visitation continues with infection control precautions and social distancing requirements per new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements.

The COVID positive residents will recover in isolation and be cared for by designated staff. We will follow CDC guidelines for when the resident may come out of isolation. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic residents may leave isolation when at least 24 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 at least 10 days. Designated staff members are following doctor’s orders for treatment protocols and following CDC infection prevention protocols.

We will follow CDC guidelines for when the employees may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees may return to work when at least 24 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.

“Resident and employee safety remains our highest priority,” said Jane Hull, 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 Farmington Presbyterian Manor’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, PresbyterianManors.org/media-room.

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