Manor's COVID Lockdown Explained

Kimball County is still listed as a “red county,” meaning that the county transmission rate for COVID-19 is in the high zone, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The Kimball County Manor shared with the Observer information about its COVID lockdown situation. Manor Activities Director Morgan Baker said the manor must follow the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. Medicaid and Medicare provide nearly 75% of the funding for the manor and they set the rules.

The CMS core principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention focus on screening, hand hygiene, face covering, cleaning and disinfecting, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), separate areas for COVID-19 patients, and resident and staff testing.

Baker said she often looks at the CDC COVID data tracker, which tracks counties across the United States. The “red zone” means that 10% or greater of a county population is infected, but fewer than 10 cases are reported here.

Baker acknowledges that people are frustrated, and the manor employees are frustrated as well. She said they intend to follow all the rules set down by the CMS.

“Anyone can break the rules, but we choose not to,” she said. “We feel deeply for our residents and their loved ones.”

The rules and guidelines are meant to keep them safe.

All employees have to mask up, but because the manor is not in an outbreak, they are not required to wear full PPE.

Kimball County Manor, as well as other such facilities, are conducting “window visits” now.

“We are hoping to be able to open up, but visitors will still have to wear a mask,” Baker said.

According to CMS guidelines, the manor must limit the number of visitors coming into the facility and the time of the visit to help with infection control. All visits will be in one central location in order to help with infection control, and the area can be sanitized effectively.

Baker reiterated that the situation is very frustrating for everyone.

“People can go to a Nebraska game, but nursing home rules are more strict, and we have to follow the rules,” she said.