9/3/21 Aberdeen Heights residents, employees test positive for COVID-19

Three residents, one essential health care worker and one contract essential health care worker tested positive for COVID-19 at Aberdeen Heights between August 21 and 26.

An independent living resident tested positive for COVID-19 after a private duty contractor tested positive for COVID-19 earlier. The resident had been in quarantine since being notified of the positive private duty contractor, and continued to self-isolate in their residence.

A contract essential health care worker tested positive for COVID-19 during pre-shift screening on Sunday, August 22. The health care worker last worked in our community on Friday, August 20, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

An essential health care worker also tested positive for COVID-19 Monday, August 23. The employee last worked Sunday, August 22, passing pre-shift screening and wearing personal protective equipment as required.

An assisted living resident tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday, August 26, after a contract essential health care worker tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. All health care and assisted living residents were tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Thursday due to possible exposure from the contract essential health care worker. All other tests were negative.

In addition, an independent living resident who recently travelled, has tested positive for COVID-19. The resident will quarantine in their residence while they recover. One other resident has been identified as a close contact and will quarantine and monitor for symptoms.

The assisted living resident was cared for in isolation by designated staff members according to strict infection control protocols and physician’s orders.

We have notified the St. Louis County Health Department and 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 positivity rate for COVID-19 tests in St. Louis County.

The employees will quarantine at home until cleared to return to work. We will follow CDC guidelines for when an employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic individuals may return to work when at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of 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 will quarantine for at least 10 days. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

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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