Aberdeen Village loses resident; more test positive for COVID-19

A resident of Aberdeen Village who previously tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away.

It is never easy to say goodbye to a beloved resident. It’s even more difficult during this awful pandemic. The entire Aberdeen Village family is in mourning at this time.

While we strive for transparency in what we do, please know that we are bound by federal guidelines under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy rights of our residents even into death. Our medical director follows all established federal laws in notifying families of any change in the medical condition of their loved ones.

At this time, Aberdeen Village continues its focus on ensuring the well-being of our residents and employees. We will continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on each shift, and care for those residents who are positive in the COVID-19 isolation area.

Additionally, I have an update to share.

Six health care residents, an assisted living resident, six essential health care workers, two non-direct care employees and a contract therapist at Aberdeen Village have tested positive for COVID-19.

The employees and therapist last worked on dates ranging from December 21 to December 29, screening in prior to their shifts and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while working.

We have notified the Johnson County Health Department and will continue our mass testing next week. Due to the county’s positivity rate, we are testing all employees twice each week until that rate changes.

The COVID positive residents will recover in isolation and be cared for by designated staff. We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the resident may come out of isolation. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic residents may leave isolation when at least 72 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.

We will follow CDC and KDHE guidelines for when the employees and contractor may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees or contractors may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s 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.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. We have been screening individuals as they enter the community building for a shift and before individuals have any direct contact with residents.  We educate all staff to stay at home if they are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.

For more information about Aberdeen Village’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, presbyterianmanors.org/media-room.

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