Residents test positive for COVID-19, 1 resident dies

At the end of COVID-19 testing for the week of December 14 through December 18, Aberdeen Heights reports that 7 residents tested positive. In addition, two residents who previously tested positive for COVID-19 died.

“We are deeply saddened by these losses. We are keeping residents’ families in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Rick Cumberland, executive director.

The community conducted two rounds of employee surveillance testing, which did not reveal any new cases among staff or contractors at the community. Surveillance testing will continue Monday, December 21. The community will continue testing employees twice a week based on the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests in St. Louis County.

In addition, the community tested assisted living, health care and memory care residents due to previous exposures. One assisted living resident and one health care resident tested positive. No positive cases were identified in memory care.

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.

In addition, five independent living residents tested positive for COVID-19. Independent living residents self-quarantine until they meet the CDC guidelines for coming out of isolation.

We have contacted the St. Louis County Health Department and will follow any direction they provide. Residents in The Glen, which includes assisted living, memory care and health care will continue to be tested weekly.

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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