New COVID-19 Clusters in Long-Term Care Facilities

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Sedgwick County has partnered with three local long-term care facilities to jointly provide an update on newly identified clusters.

Chaucer Estates, 10550 E 21^st St N.

• Less than five cases
• No deaths
• All residents and staff are being tested

“The health and safety of our residents and employees is our primary concern, and we are closely monitoring the developments with respect to the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Tara Willard, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We are also utilizing the expertise of the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other governmental agencies and expert organizations for continual updates and guidelines for prevention of COVID-19.  Our community is supported by a task force comprised of various disciplines to aid us in our preparation, readiness, communication, and management of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Comfort Care Homes of Wichita, at 509 N Tallyrand, Wichita

• Less than five cases
• No deaths
• All residents and staff have been tested

“We understand that this period of uncertainty and extra safety can be incredibly challenging and stressful, said Robert Miller, Vice President. “In fact, ComfortCare Homes - Wichita, was visited last week by Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) state surveyors for our infectious disease review. We passed with flying colors. One state surveyor commented “I wish everyone was as compliant as you.”

Shortly after, we found out we have several asymptomatic positive COVID-19 cases in one of our homes. Even when you are doing everything right this is an unpredictable disease. Thanks to the nature of our business model, we have smaller homes that accommodate few Residents vs: a large facility with everyone in one place. Because of that, it can reduce the risk of exposure to residents in a particular home. All affected Residents are doing fine with no respiratory distress.

Currently, we are doing what is necessary to quarantine the situation. Families or residents directly involved have been notified by phone. Every measure is being taken to protect our residents and CareStaff at this time, including heightened use of PPE, increase cleaning guidelines, enforced visitation restrictions to the most essential medical needs.

We are following the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) required COVID-19 reporting and response procedures, which includes testing all Residents and CareStaff within the immediate area of exposure. We will also be expanding testing to all homes and the entire staff this week.”

The Oxford Grand at New Market, 3051 Parkdale Circle

• Less than five cases, including one resident
• At least one person has completed their recovery
• No deaths
• All residents and staff have been tested
• This is not the Oxford Villa Active Senior Apartments

"The health and safety of our residents and team members remain our top priority," said Coryanne Graham, Vice President of Marketing & Brand for Oxford Senior Living. "We continue to monitor all residents and staff closely, while taking aggressive measures to prevent the spread of infection and maintain all CDC, CMS and local health department guidelines." 

Sedgwick County investigates reports of notifiable diseases, like COVID-19. If a case is identified in a long-term care facility, Sedgwick County recommends that the facility isolate any symptomatic people away from other residents. Residents and staff are tested, either by the Health Department at no cost or through the facility. The facility monitors all residents and staff for symptoms. The Health Department works with the facility to ensure all close contacts are identified and are properly quarantined or isolated.

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