Posted On: October 2, 2020 by Community HealthCare System in: News
Counties in northeast Kansas are seeing increasing COVID-19 activity, and Community HealthCare System is no exception. CHCS clinics are finding increased positivity rates among patients who are tested for the virus.
Widespread community transmission in the area means that our associates are increasingly likely to be affected. Ongoing testing at Eastridge Skilled Nursing Facility in Centralia and St. Marys Manor in St. Marys has identified one positive associate in each location. Both associates are awaiting follow-up confirmatory tests and are in quarantine, and appropriate county public health authorities, residents, and families have been notified.
Ongoing testing at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living has revealed no new positive associates. Redbud has two positive residents, one of whom was identified before mandatory testing. The source for the second resident is known, and all other residents have tested negative. All residents are remaining in their apartments or outside on patios at this time. There is no indication that positive results in residents and staff were related.
The increased number of COVID-19 cases in our communities has necessitated pausing visits at all three facilities. Eastridge and St. Marys Manor were previously offering supervised visits by appointment and with masks, temperature checks, and social distancing, and Redbud was allowing visits with similar precautions. Safety of fragile residents requires a return to precautions adopted earlier in the spring.
“We need to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect long-term care and assisted living residents,” said Todd Willert, CHCS CEO.
Willert said he hopes that the surge in cases in the area will be temporary.
“Everyone in our communities can help make sure that we are able to reopen by doing all they can to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Take social distancing and hand hygiene seriously, and be sure to wear a mask,” Willert said.
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