Residents, employees test positive for COVID-19, 6 residents die

At the end of COVID-19 testing for the week of November 30 through December 4, Aberdeen Heights reports that 8 residents and 3 employees tested positive last week. The new cases bring the 7-day total for the community to 11. In addition, six residents who previously tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

“We are saddened by the loss of these residents. We are keeping their families in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Rick Cumberland, executive director. “We continue to make the health and safety of our residents and employees our highest priority.”

The community conducted two rounds of employee surveillance testing, which identified the three new employee cases. All three employees are essential health care workers. They passed pre-shift screenings and wore personal protective equipment as required.

In addition, the community tested health care center residents due to previous exposures. Seven new cases were identified in The Glen in both assisted living and health care through this testing, 3 in assisted living and 4 in the health care center. In addition, an independent living resident reported a positive test result to the community after being tested off site.

We will follow CDC guidelines for when the residents 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.

Employees or contractors who tested positive will remain in isolation until cleared to return to work by the St. Louis County Health Department. We will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for when an employee or contractor may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees or contractors may return to work when at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of their fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees or contractors will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

We have contacted the St. Louis County Health Department and will follow any direction they provide. The next round of employee surveillance testing will be Monday, December 7. Employees will test a second time this week, and specific residents in The Glen will be tested this week as well.

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.  Employees and residents are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for preventing and containing the spread of COVID-19.

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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