Surge in county COVID-19 cases tied to nursing home outbreak; 27 residents, 17 staff test positive

Posted 9/3/20

HERMANN — Gasconade County’s Health Department announced Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27) the Stonebridge Senior Living facility in Hermann has 27 residents with confirmed positive COVID-19 …

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Surge in county COVID-19 cases tied to nursing home outbreak; 27 residents, 17 staff test positive

Posted

HERMANN — Gasconade County’s Health Department announced Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27) the Stonebridge Senior Living facility in Hermann has 27 residents with confirmed positive COVID-19 tests and 17 employees with positive results.

The Hermann center conducted facility-wide COVID-19 testing earlier this past 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.”

Dr. Michael Rothermich, medical director at Hermann Area District Hospital, provided figures on test results conducted locally. He noted the Stonebridge numbers are not reflected in local statistics since testing was not conducted locally.

Rothermich reports these results include tests for residents of multiple counties.

“For the third week in a row, our testing center had a new record for total positive tests,” he noted in an email message. “Our rate of positive tests remains high — 15.5 percent. The facility-wide testing at Stonebridge Hermann was not performed by Hermann Hospital, and is not included in these data.” 

The release from Lara 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.