Resident and employee of Cass County nursing home test positive for coronavirus
A resident and a staff member from a Cass County nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19.
Meadow View Health & Rehabilitation, 2203 E. Mechanic St., Harrisonville, made the announcement in a news release Thursday, which was distributed by the Cass County Health Department.
According to the release, the resident is in isolation in a private room at the facility, and the employee, whose last day of work was April 2, is recovering at home.
The results of eight additional tests are pending.
Meadow View said it has been working with the local health department to contain the novel coronavirus and has been following federal, state and local directives.
The nursing home began screening all residents and employees for symptoms of COVID-19 in early March, according to the release. Residents who showed signs of a fever, cough or other symptoms associated with the virus were tested.
Employees who showed symptoms were asked to stay home and reach out to their primary-care providers.
Testing began earlier this week, Craig Workman, a Meadow View spokesman, told The Star. He said the facility, which is currently home to 79 residents, has contracted with a private testing laboratory and is able to receive results in 24 hours.
Amid the coronavirus crisis, the facility says it has “eliminated all outside visitors and non-essential interactions with the public,” ceased group activities, closed the dining rooms and have encouraged residents to remain their rooms.
“The health and safety of our residents and staff continue to be our highest priority,” Workman said in a statement. Citizens living in nursing homes or facilities for people with intellectual disabilities as well as adult day care centers “are particularly vulnerable to this virus,” he said.
At least 27 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and one person has died from the disease in Cass County where Meadow View is located, according to statistics from the local health department.
Statewide, at least 3,539 cases have been reported and 77 people have died, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. At least 568 people have been hospitalized.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 6:02 PM.
