Press Release: Meadowlark Takes Steps to Further Secure Entire Campus

By Sarah Duggan on March 31, 2020

MANHATTAN, KAN. – Effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 7 a.m. all traffic coming to Meadowlark’s campus will be screened at a newly established check-point station located at the Tuttle Creek Boulevard entrance. Meadowlark closed the Kimball Avenue entrance on Thursday, March 19. There is no date set to restore either entrance.

While over 360 cases of COVID-19 have been identified as presumptively positive in Kansas, no cases have been suspected at Meadowlark. Much about the virus is still unknown, but it is known that the population the organization serves – older adults with underlying medical conditions – are at the highest risk for the most serious forms of infection associated with this new disease.

“This is a spooky time we’re living in right now,” said Lonnie Baker, CEO. “Our team intends to take every possible precaution to support the safety, health, and wellness of those who call the Meadowlark campus home. Initiating the check-point station is the next step in establishing enhanced security.”

Based upon revised recommendations from CMS and the CDC, Meadowlark closed the campus to visitors effective at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2020. This  was, and continues to be, an effort to combat the spread of the disease and protect the health and welfare of residents. “Meadowlark is not accepting any visitors at this time and this includes all areas of our campus,” said Sarah Duggan, Community Relations Director. “We strongly encourage loved ones to communicate with residents in other ways than in-person visits like video chat, telephone, or social media.”

Meadowlark continues to educate staff, residents, and families on symptom awareness for COVID-19 and infection control best practices and have clear protocols for staff to stay home and not come to work if they are ill or symptomatic.

  As Meadowlark navigates this challenge, the team remains focused on providing exceptional care and services for residents. “We have a team of people working hard to find creative ways of providing engagement and entertainment during this time of social distancing and self isolation.” said Baker. “I extend a sincere preemptive thank you to the public for supporting this important effort by taking care of themselves and adhering to our  current no-visitation procedure.”

Meadowlark is a local, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located in Manhattan, Kan. For forty years, Meadowlark has met community needs since its opening in 1980 and will continue to be a resource, especially in this uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic.