Aberdeen Heights announces two positive COVID-19 tests

A non-direct care employee at Aberdeen Heights tested positive for COVID-19 during campus-wide testing June 4. The community was notified of the positive test this week. In addition, an agency direct-care provider who began working at The Glen at Aberdeen Heights June 15 was notified the same day they had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Our top priority remains the safety of our residents and staff members,” said Rick Cumberland, executive director. “Our employees have worked very hard to ensure the safety and health of our residents throughout this pandemic.”

The community tested 192 employees June 4. Of those, 121 were negative and 70 tests are still pending. The 79 residents of The Glen at Aberdeen Heights, which includes assisted living, memory care and health care also were tested June 4. Of those, 65 tests were negative and 14 tests are still pending. The resident who tested positive in May has now tested negative twice and is now out of isolation at the community.

Both the Aberdeen Heights employee and the agency care provider were wearing personal protective equipment as required for their job responsibilities.

We have notified the St. Louis County Health Department and are conducting contact tracing to determine who each has been in contact within the community. Testing and quarantining will be completed in accordance with CDC and health department recommendations. Residents who were in direct contact with the positive agency care provider will be placed in isolation pending COVID-19 testing results.

All required federal, state and local agencies have been notified. We will follow any additional direction from the St. Louis Health Department.

The employee will be re-tested and must be COVID-19 negative before returning to work. Per CDC guidelines, the employee must have negative results from an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least 2 consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens).

The agency care provider will be replaced by the agency or not permitted to return until they are COVID-19 negative per the CDC guideline set forth above.  

Aberdeen Heights continues to screen all employees as they enter the community building for a shift and before they have any direct contact with residents.  In addition, staff members are wearing masks per CDC recommendations.

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

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