Coronavirus cluster at Kansas Masonic Home is 10th nursing home in Sedgwick County

Public health officials have identified a coronavirus cluster at a 10th long-term care facility in Sedgwick County.

The Sedgwick County Health Department and Kansas Masonic Home announced the outbreak of COVID-19 in a joint news release on Tuesday. Six staff members and seven residents at the facility have tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

“We are working with KMH to contain further spread of COVID-19 at their facility,” County Health Director Adrienne Byrne said in a statement. “COVID-19 is especially dangerous for older adults and we want to ensure the health and safety of residents and staff and reduce the spread.”

All residents are being moved into private rooms with dedicated staff, according to the news release. Visitation is limited to comfort care situations and require approval.

“Our priority is to provide all residents with exceptional care,” Kansas Masonic Home officials said in a statement. “KMH implemented infection control measures in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines which includes limitations on visitation, screening all staff member prior to working, hand hygiene and staff members and residents wearing facemasks or coverings. KMH performed two weeks of baseline testing in June with all negative results. Over the past two weeks KMH has received zero deficiency infection control surveys in both our assisted living and long-term care programs.”

“We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of this virus within our community,” KMH officials said.

The other nine nursing homes that have had confirmed clusters are Clearwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Chisholm Place, Diversicare of Haysville, The Manor Nursing Home at Park West, New Life Home Plus, Catholic Care Center Chaucer Estates, Comfort Care Homes of Wichita and The Oxford Grand at New Market.

Of the 33 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Sedgwick County, 27 were connected to a cluster at a long-term care facility.

This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 2:32 PM.