Colonial Springs staff and residents test positive for COVID-19

Colonial Springs Healthcare Center has received results of its most recent coronavirus mass testing performed Sept. 11. Three residents and three employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

CSHCC is owned and operated by Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, Bolivar.

One employee has not worked at CSHCC for the last 10 days and the other two employees last worked Sept. 10 and Sept. 12. The employees that tested positive did not have a fever or other obvious symptoms of the virus while working. The employees are home in quarantine and are being monitored by their local health departments.

“While these test results are not the news we had hoped for, we have been preparing for this and have activated our plans to protect our residents from further spread,” said Tim Francka, CMH Foundation administrative director of long-term care.

The positive residents are in isolation and are symptom free. They will continue to be closely monitored for symptoms of the virus.

“We are working closely with our infection prevention experts, local health departments and state agencies to do everything we can to minimize the spread of the virus,” Francka said.

CSHCC administration has contacted residents, family members and employees of the results. Follow-up mass testing for residents and employees will be held Friday, Sept. 18.

CMH Foundation facilities follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. CSHCC employees are screened each shift for COVID-19 symptoms, have their temperature taken daily and wear personal protective equipment including masks and eye protection during their shifts. Additional preventative measures include extensive hand-washing, social distancing, disinfecting and restricting in-person visitations.

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