Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility employee tests positive for COVID-19

A Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility employee has tested positive for COVID-19. CMHCF is a skilled nursing facility in Bolivar and is owned and operated by Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, Bolivar.

The employee was asymptomatic and was tested Aug. 10 during random employee testing at the facility. CMHCF 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.

CMHCF has 103 residents and 120 employees. All residents and employees will be tested Friday, Aug. 14, 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. CMHCF 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.

“We were fortunate to have discovered this asymptomatic employee through our ongoing random testing of long-term care employees,” says Tim Francka, CMH administrative director of long-term care. “This proactive process is above regulatory standards and guidelines, but we feel strongly that this is the right thing to do to keep our residents and staff safe.”

CMHCF 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.

Parkview Health Care Facility, another CMH Foundation facility in Bolivar, has three employees at home in quarantine after they tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. No residents have been infected with the virus. The facility will conduct another mass testing event Monday, Aug. 17.