Thirty test positive for COVID-19 at local long-term care facility

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Thirty residents and staff members at the Asbury Park facility in Newton have tested positive for COVID-19.

The announcement was made by the Harvey County department and Asbury Park late Monday, Nov. 5.

The cluster includes 22 community residents and eight staff members.

According to the release the individuals have been isolated.

 “We will continue to follow the guidance of the local health department to control the transmission of the virus, and will continue to test all employees twice weekly and monitor all residents closely,” said Asbury Park Chief Executive Officer Don Voth.  “Most of the individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 are not showing any symptoms.”

According to the release cases were identified through precautionary testing of all staff members and residents. Testing included 60 residents and 180 staff.

We have seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in our county and surrounding counties the past two weeks. That puts additional challenges on our medical providers and long-term care facilities,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “Our long-term care facilities have done exceptionally well these past several months, but we need the community’s help to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Currently the county lists 745 cases and 171 active cases. For context on Oct. 27 the county had 55 active cases.

The regional cases has stretched area hospitals in Wichita and Hutchinson. It also on Nov. 5 prompted Newton Medical Center to implore residents to do what they can – wear masks, wash hands, distance, avoid gatherings – to curb the spread of the disease.

“Surrounding communities have seen hospitals reach capacity, and NMC has been available to assist,” the Hospital release stated. “Now, NMC finds ourselves in a similar situation. Harvey County is currently ranked 7th highest for Kansas counties with new COVID-19 cases. Today, we are able to meet the needs of our growing patient load. Tomorrow, that may not be the case.”

 

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