Posted on

Charles City Chautauqua staff and residents tested for COVID-19 virus

  • David Ayers, CEO of Chautauqua Guest Homes, has a blood sample drawn by Brittany Downing, a clinical laboratory scientist from Floyd County Medical Center, for a test for COVID-19. Submitted photo

  • Sandy Staudt RN and Susan Ayers RN, infection preventionists at Chautauqua Guest Homes, draw blood samples from Augusta Ellis. Submitted photo

  • Stacy Funte, RN, Floyd County Public Health; and Amanda Bouillon, medical laboratory technician, and Brittany Downing, clinical laboratory scientist, from Floyd County Medical Center, pose outside a mobile testing trailer set up outside one of the Chautauqua Guest Homes in Charles City. Submitted photo

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

More than 200 staff members and residents at the Chautauqua Guest Homes in Charles City were tested for COVID-19 last Friday. Results are expected back this week.

Sue Ayers, an owner, former administrator and current infection preventionist at the homes which include 9th Street Chautauqua, 11th Street Chautauqua and Riverside Senior Living, said 140 staff members and 94 residents were tested.

“This was a collaborative effort between Chautauqua and Floyd County Public Health with assistance from laboratory personnel from Floyd County Medical Center,” Ayers said.

Residents had swab testing to see if any of them currently have COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Staff were offered the opportunity to have swab testing to determine current disease status, as well as serology blood testing to determine if they have antibodies to the disease, which typically means they have had the virus in the past.

“Most staff chose to have both tests completed,” Ayers said.

There have been no known COVID-19 cases among the Chautauqua Guest Home residents.

The tests were being done to provide an accurate picture of any viral activity at the facilities on the day of the test, and to provide a baseline, Chautauqua Guest Homes said last week in announcing the tests.

Today (Tuesday), residents and staff at Comprehensive Systems will be tested, according to Gail Arjes, Floyd County Public Health administrator.

Social Share

LATEST NEWS