Butterfield Residential Care Center employee tests positive for COVID-19

A Butterfield Residential Care Center employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

Butterfield is a residential care center in Bolivar and is owned and operated by Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, Bolivar.

The employee was asymptomatic and last worked Tuesday, Aug. 11, became symptomatic Wednesday, Aug. 12, and was tested Thursday, Aug. 13.

Butterfield administration has contacted residents, family members and employees of the potential exposure. The employee is quarantined at home and is being monitored by the Polk County Health Department.

Butterfield has 52 residents and 29 employees. All residents and employees will be tested Tuesday, Aug. 18, and closely monitored for symptoms. The facility canceled group activities and discontinued communal dining with residents being served their meals in their rooms.

CMH Foundation operates six long-term care facilities in Ash Grove, Bolivar, Buffalo, El Dorado Springs and Stockton, and one residential care center in Bolivar.

CMH Foundation facilities follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Butterfield employees are screened each shift for COVID-19 symptoms, have their temperature taken before being allowed to work and must wear a mask, eye protection and other personal protective equipment during their shifts. Employees who test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 do not return to work until they are recovered and receive clearance.

Additional preventative measures include extensive hand-washing, practicing social distancing, disinfecting and restricting in-person visitations.

The facility and CMH Foundation are working closely with the Polk County Health Department, Citizens Memorial Hospital infection prevention specialists and Department of Health and Senior Services – Long-Term Care Division to rapidly contain any possible exposures.

Two other CMH Foundation facilities in Bolivar have employees at home in quarantine after they tested positive for COVID-19. No residents have been infected with the virus. Mass testing will be held Friday, Aug. 14, for Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility and Monday, Aug. 17, for Parkview Health Care Facility.

Butterfield encourages family members and friends to stay connected to residents during this time and use technology and alternative communication methods including Skype, FaceTime, phone calls and email.