The Hermann center conducted a facility-wide COVID-19 testing earlier this week and began to receive results Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 26).

“Stonebridge or the Health Department do not have all results yet, but so far we have been notified of 27 confirmed positive residential cases and 17 confirmed positive employees,” according to the release from the Gasconade County Health Department’s director, Greg Lara. “Stonebridge has notified the residents and their families as well as employees. The positive residents are being moved to one area of the facility for their recovery and negative residents are being moved to another area of the facility. These results have been reported to the Gasconade County Health Department and we are adhering to their guidance.”

The release goes on to note, “Stonebridge has also notified us that they are sending additional staff to Hermann from other facilities around the state to assist and supplement the Hermann staff. These additional caregivers will assist with health assessments, resident care, documentation, activities, etc.

“The numbers listed above are preliminary numbers and may be adjusted as more test results are received. We are in the process of identifying and contacting known close contacts as we receive information. We thank everyone for their concerns and efforts in controlling and trying to slow the spread of this virus.”

The Health Department including additional steps being taken by staff at the Hermann facility based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and the Gasconade County Health Department.

Measures being taken include:

• N95 respirators have been issued to all staff members,

• non-essential healthcare personnel are no longer entering the facility,

• additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been provided to the facility, and resident health assessments are being conducted multiple times a day.

“These health assessments will be completed using recently purchased equipment that monitors vital signs including oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, body temperature, etc.,” according to Lara. “They have contracted with a professional outside contractor to disinfect and sanitize the entire campus this week. They are specifically trained to work with hospitals and long-term care facilities using hospital-grade disinfectant and sanitizer to sanitize equipment, furniture, and facilities.”