Aberdeen Heights gives COVID-19 update

Aberdeen Heights has detected 18 new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff this week.

As of January 6, 14 non-direct resident care employees had tested positive for the virus.  All had last worked between December 29 and January 6, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment as required.

Four health care residents have also tested positive for the virus. They are being cared for in isolation according to PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) Emergent Infectious Disease policy, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols for infection control and prevention and physician’s orders.

The St. Louis County Health Department was notified, and the campus will follow any additional guidance provided. Aberdeen Heights continues to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate to test staff on a frequency determined by the county transmission rate for COVID-19 in St. Louis County and resident testing due to previously reported exposures as directed. With these new cases, the community has identified 25 new cases – 21 employees and 4 residents – since December 21.

Aberdeen Heights will follow the PMMA® EID policy, DHSS and CDC guidelines in determining when residents may end isolation.

The community also will follow the PMMA EID policy, DHSS and CDC guidelines in determining when the employee may return to work and any work restrictions at that time.

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.  Residents will continue to be monitored for signs and symptoms of the virus. Employees and residents are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for preventing and containing the spread of COVID-19.

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

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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