Outbreak linked to Independence nursing facility has infected more than three dozen
A large COVID-19 outbreak has infected dozens of people at an Independence nursing facility, city officials announced Monday.
Thirty-nine cases are linked to Independence Manor at 1600 South Kings Highway.
The long-term care facility has 65 residents and 65 staff.
After an employee tested positive last week, residents and employees were tested.
The City of Independence did not specify how many of the 39 positive cases were residents and how many were staff.
“We are clearly seeing the second wave of COVID-19 in the Kansas City metro area, and it is vital that our residents, particularly those in the vulnerable populations, take steps to protect themselves and their families from this disease,” Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said.
Independence has three outbreaks in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, according to city officials.
“This is a sobering reminder that this is a long-term engagement for our community,” Fire Chief Doug Short said. “While there has been an increase in testing in our area, we are seeing consistent rates of positive cases — meaning more tests are showing more positive cases of the disease.”
Three testing locations are available this week in eastern Jackson County for residents who have symptoms. More information can be found on Jackson County’s website or by calling 816-404-2273.
Five more staff test positive in Lee’s Summit
Five more staff members at a Lee’s Summit nursing facility have tested positive for the coronavirus.
John Knox Village said the employees were asymptomatic and passed daily screenings, the facility said Monday.
They work at the Village Care Center, which provides skilled nursing.
One of the workers also saw patients in the facility’s assisted living building. John Knox Village said they will begin testing residents who may have been exposed, require caregivers to wear N95 masks instead of fabric face coverings and increase vital sign screening to four times per day.
A total of nine employees at the center have tested positive. Three have recovered. No residents have tested positive, according to John Knox Village.
Kansas City has had 1,737 COVID-19 cases while Jackson County has had 865, according to figures released Monday by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 3:58 PM.
