CMH Senior Health Center employee tests positive for COVID-19

A Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Senior Health Center employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

The CMH Senior Health Center is located in Bolivar and is a free workout facility for individuals age 55 and older. It is owned and operated by CMH Foundation.

The center has used extensive safety procedures including requiring staff and participants to wear face coverings, daily screening and temperature checks for all staff and participants, social distancing in exercise classes and when using exercise equipment and no more than 10 participants were allowed in the center at one time and permitted by appointment only. Additionally, the center staff provided extra cleaning and disinfection of equipment between each use. The center has not been open since July 9 and will remain closed until further notice.

The employee was masked and did not have symptoms or a fever while working July 7, 8 and 9 and developed mild symptoms and a fever the evening of July 9. The employee was tested for COVID-19 July 10 and received a negative result July 13. The employee continued to feel unwell and tested for COVID-19 again July 15 and received a positive result July 16.

The employee has not worked since July 9 and has been at home in quarantine. The individual is being monitored by the Polk County Health Center. CMH Foundation administration and CMH Senior Health Center staff are working closely with the Polk County Health Center. If you have not been contacted by the Polk County Health Center or CMH Senior Health Center, you are not at risk.

“The Senior Health Center staff and participants have been diligent in maintaining a safe environment through masking, disinfecting, hand hygiene and social distancing,” says Beverly Derrickson, CMH Foundation chief operating officer. “These efforts keep our employees, participants and community safe. We look forward to seeing our participants again soon.”

Citizens Memorial Hospital and CMH Foundation encourage safe behaviors and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations including face coverings, hand hygiene, social distancing, limiting travel and staying home if you are sick.