Residents, employees test positive for COVID-19, 1 resident dies 12/20

At the end of COVID-19 testing for the week of December 7 through December 11, Aberdeen Heights reports that 2 contract service providers, 6 employees and 5 residents tested positive. The new cases bring the 7-day total for the community to 13. In addition, one resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19 died.

“It is always difficult when we lose a resident. We are keeping resident’s family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Rick Cumberland, executive director.

The community conducted two rounds of employee surveillance testing, which identified the six new employee cases and two new COVID-positive contract service providers. Three of the employees and one of the contract service providers were not involved in providing direct resident care. Two employees and one contract service provider were essential health care workers. All nine individuals passed pre-shift screenings and wore personal protective equipment as required.

In addition, the community tested assisted living, health care and memory care residents due to previous exposures. All assisted living resident tests were negative for COVID-19. One memory care resident and one health care resident tested positive.

In addition, three independent living residents reported positive COVID-19 test results 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.

Independent living residents self-quarantine until they meet the CDC guidelines for coming out of isolation.

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 14. Residents also will be tested next week.

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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