Kansas Department For Aging and Disability Services Secretary, Laura Howard, announced yesterday that one staff member at Osawatomie State Hospital has tested positive for COVID 19. This is the first positive case at the hospital in either residents or staff.
All 11 residents on the unit who were in close contact with the positive employee will be tested. Several steps have been taken to further maximize safety precautions already in place: any employee with direct, close contact with the positive employee has been contacted and begun a 14 day quarantine. Any patients directly exposed to the positive employee are strongly encouraged to isolate in their room and wear a facemask anytime they leave their room. At this time, there will be no admissions to the affected unit. All staff working on the affected unit are required to wear full personal protective equipment at all times, to include nurses, other professionals, security and housekeeping.
Hospital Superintendent, Kristin Feeback, says she knows how stressful it is for patients, their loved ones and staff members and they are doing everything in their power to limit the spread of the virus.
