MSSLC staff tests positive for COVID-19

The Mexia State Supported Living Center has had a staff member test positive for COVID-19, according to an internal email from center director Melinda Gentry.

According to the email, the employee has not been at work on campus for more than a week, and so far no one else at the center has shown symptoms.

Two other people at the campus have received negative test results for the virus and a third is pending.

The 13 state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems.

Someone tested positive for COVID-19 on March 19 at the Denton State Supported Living Center. Two weeks later that number had grown to 89 – 39 employees and 50 residents.

“There is no higher priority than protecting the health and safety of residents, staff and the local communities in which our SSLCs are located,” Christine Mann, Texas Health & Human Services Commission chief press officer, said via a press release. “We’re taking every precaution against the spread of disease, including using dedicated homes for individuals recovering from COVID-19. As they return from the hospital, we’re ensuring they receive the care they need in a manner safe for them, other patients and SSLC staff.” All the centers began travel-screening all staff on March 5, asking whether or not they had visited a country identified by the CDC as high risk or whether they had contact with someone who had.

Visitation restrictions to the centers were implemented March 13. “We continue to screen all employees for fever and respiratory illness prior to entrance into the facility,” Mann said. “Temperature checks on staff and essential visitors before entry into campus began on March 16. Any person with a fever or unexplained signs of respiratory illness are not allowed entrance to the center.”On any campus in which a resident tests positive for COVID-19, all staff on the campus wear face masks. Staff working in homes with COVID-19-positive residents are dedicated to those homes only, using the appropriate personal protective equipment and are following all CDC guidelines to protect their safety and prevent spread. This includes masks, face shield masks, N95 masks, gloves and gowns.“We are extremely grateful for the commitment and dedication of our staff to caring for our residents, especially during this challenging time. They are providing an outstanding service to Texas,” Mann said. “Our commitment to residents, their families and staff is to provide the best care possible and the safest possible working environment, at all times under any circumstances. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we will continue adapting our policies and procedures as necessary.”